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Suspect held after woman set on fire in NY subway car dies; Trump threatens to take back Panama Canal over 'ridiculous' fees; A year of growth for juvenile diversion programs in SD; The ups and downs of combating rural grocery deserts in ND; Report: AZ one of eight Western states that could improve conservation policies.

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Congress passes a last-minute budget stopgap. Trump's second-term tariffs could harm farmers, and future budget cuts could reduce much-needed federal programs.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

MN's Clean-Energy Tech Enters the Shark Tank

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Monday, April 18, 2022   

Government agencies are tasked with setting policies to reduce the impacts of climate change. But a new Minnesota venture aims to get more of the private sector involved, to bring locally developed "green" technology to the public.

The latest State of Climate Tech report says these startups saw a 210% increase in investments in the past year. But not all firms get to see their energy innovation succeed.

That inspired Nina Axelson to found Grid Catalyst, a nonprofit program that serves as a go-between for local green-tech companies and potential customers who can get these products onto the market.

"Things like thermostats in our houses," said Axelson. "It's just a moment of significant change, in the pace of technology coming into the market and the interest of consumers in that technology, as well as the interest from investors."

She said the Grid Catalyst paves the way for startups to pitch their ideas to investors, corporations and other stakeholders.

Despite more demand for clean technology, she said, regional tech firms sometimes have to overcome skepticism that their products can work in a colder climate. Industry leaders say other roadblocks include changes in political and regulatory landscapes.

Minnesota's Darcy Solutions is helping to develop technology tied to geothermal heating and cooling systems for commercial buildings. CEO and co-founder Brain Larson said they're one of Grid Catalyst's first participants.

He said he hopes it reduces the slow pace of marketing important work.

"People will say, 'Well, this is a really interesting technology, but we're certainly not going to be on the leading edge. We may be your third or your fourth one to adopt this,'" said Larson. "And so, getting the first and second one started is critical. "

Connexus Energy, Minnesota's largest electric cooperative, recently heard pitches set up by Grid Catalyst. That led to a partnership with a startup to explore flow batteries, an energy-storage technology.

Connexus CEO Greg Ridderbusch said he likes having an extra set of eyes for solutions.

"We're busy running a utility and, you know, we are definitely reasonably innovative," said Ridderbusch. "But we still, at the end of the day, need to keep the lights on."



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