skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump announces Pam Bondi of FL as new attorney general pick, hours after Matt Gaetz withdraws; House passes bill targeting nonprofits in NY and nation; NM researcher studies why pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are on the rise; Researchers link better outcomes to MN adoption reforms.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump has a new pick for Attorney General, his incoming "border czar" warns local Democratic officials not to impede mass deportation, and the House passes legislation that could target any nonprofit group accused of supporting terrorism.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The CDC has a new plan to improve the health of rural Americans, updated data could better prepare folks for flash floods like those that devastated Appalachia, and Native American Tribes could play a key role in the nation's energy future.

Report: MN's Clean-Energy Transition Gains Stronger Foothold

play audio
Play

Wednesday, April 26, 2023   

For a third year in a row, zero-carbon sources accounted for the majority of electricity generated in Minnesota, according to the latest edition of an annual report measuring the state's clean-energy transition.

The findings are issued by the group Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, which said the industry shift toward these sources is now "locked in" around the state. It showed in 2022, 55% of the state's power came from carbon-free sources, well above the national share of 41%.

Tena Monson, senior director of development operations for National Grid Renewables, which develops projects for corporations and utilities, said Minnesota is a favorable place for business within this sector.

"It has really great, top-notch policies that support renewable-energy development," Monson asserted. "That makes it a really good policy leader to help with the transition into the clean-energy economy."

The report found the sector continues to deal with some turbulence, including supply-chain
disruptions, tariffs and workforce issues. And Monson and other experts noted local permitting issues have popped up in Minnesota and elsewhere in the U.S. They suggest uniform policies being adopted in other states could help address the matter in Minnesota.

Eric Pasi, senior director of market development for New Equity Energy, said another promising sign is the growing emergence of large-scale solar projects.

"We do quite a bit of work with Fortune 500 companies and large commercial real estate clients," Pasi explained. "And are seeing a big trend toward adoption and specifically like portfolio-wide, as opposed to a single, one-off or demonstration projects that had been more common in years past."

He and other experts pointed to Flint Hills Resources building a 45-megawatt solar installation, which will include at least 100,000 panels connected directly to refinery operations. Meanwhile, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota's report also pointed out power sector emissions in Minnesota declined by 7%, and the state's energy productivity, which tracks efficiency in usage, increased to 31%.

Disclosure: Clean Energy Economy Minnesota and the Clean Grid Alliance Coalition contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Energy Policy, and the Environment. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Since its founding, the CCA program has generated more than $2 billion for transportation and infrastructure upgrades, clean air and water initiatives, utility bill rebates, community solar, indoor air quality improvements and more. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

On Election Day, a broad coalition of conservationists, labor, and others helped defeat a ballot initiative to repeal Washington State's Climate …


Social Issues

play sound

In the wake of Donald Trump's re-election, teachers nationwide are bracing for more censorship battles. Currently, more than 40 laws in 22 states …

Social Issues

play sound

A new annual report shows New York City has more than 146,000 homeless students. The Advocates for Children of New York report finds this is an …


More than 3,000 Maine apprentices were actively working on industry-recognized skill certification in 2022, according to the Maine Department of Labor. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

State officials in Maine said they are working to expand the number of registered apprenticeship programs to help counter a persistent worker shortage…

Social Issues

play sound

School boards are nonpartisan, but a recent trend in Wyoming shows far-right candidates are bringing national politics to local elections. Public …

In 2020, roughly 9.9% of all U-S adults over age 20 were, or 28.6 million people, were affected by cardiovascular disease, according to a review article from the American Heart Association. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

It is National Rural Health Day and experts are flagging research showing increasing health disparities between urban and rural places, including in …

Social Issues

play sound

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have promised to pass a new tax bill, and a new report breaks down the expected winners and …

Social Issues

play sound

Recent surveys show a majority of North Dakotans want housing that allows them to live independently as they age. But there aren't a lot of suitable …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021