Environment
Minnesota wants new limits on 3M plant that piped industrial chemicals into the Mississippi River
The permit proposed by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is the first-ever attempt to set hard limits for the chemicals coming out of a factory.
More from Environment
Environment
Duluth fish kill likely due to 1.7 million gallons of chloramine-treated water that drained into stream
The amount of water released is far greater than Duluth city officials initially reported.
September 4, 2024
Environment
Future of discarded wind turbine blades in Minnesota town gets cloudier after company disappears
With the future uncertain for the gigantic pile of wind junk, one man tried to cut through a blade with a stump grinder.
September 3, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Tolkkinen: Growing food for fuel isn’t working. It’s time to rethink ethanol.
Does society really need to spend $8.9B to capture ethanol carbon emissions? 
AuthoredKaren Tolkkinen
AuthoredKaren TolkkinenSeptember 1, 2024
Environment
Minnesota is rapidly losing valuable wetlands. That’s a threat to wildlife and clean water.
Minnesota lost 140,000 acres of forested wetlands between 2006 and 2020. What replaced them lacks their ecological benefits.
August 28, 2024
Twin Cities
Dead turtles lined up along St. Croix River were accidentally killed by Wisconsin DNR
The turtles, caught in agency nets, had been lined up on a sandbar in the hope they would recover.
August 28, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Minnesota farm country debates what could be the state’s first carbon-capture pipeline
Pipeline safety and environmental benefits are in question as the Summit Carbon Solutions project — an $8.9 billion system in five Upper Midwest states — tries to move ahead in Minnesota.
August 28, 2024
Business
The fate of odd recyclables, from decking to motorcyle parts, on display at Minnesota State Fair
From the ‘bagnado’ to decking, Harley Davidson and Polaris parts, exhibits at the Eco Experience building show how the state’s $10.2B recyclables business is growing
August 26, 2024
Outdoors
Here comes the sun: Giant solar projects could transform Minnesota’s energy landscape
More than a dozen colossal projects across mostly rural areas of the state could substantially boost Minnesota’s modest capacity for solar energy.
August 23, 2024
Environment
Mississippi River sheen mystery solved
The MPCA says lubricant from the Coon Rapids Dam was to blame.
August 23, 2024
Environment
Farmer pursues fresh challenge to White Earth Nation over Minnesota tribe’s water rules
A smaller farmer is now challenging permits for river water use, after showdown with potato-growing conglomerate.
August 23, 2024
Environment
After backlash, Xcel retreats from Minnesota plan for higher peak rates, lower overnight costs
The Minneapolis-based company is now pitching a voluntary “time of use” program that allows residential customers to opt in to dynamic rates with lower peak prices, rather than automatically enrolling everyone.
August 22, 2024
Environment
Second sheen is under investigation as MPCA probes possible contamination in Mississippi River
Minneapolis and St. Paul both turned off their downstream drinking water intakes, though Minneapolis has since returned to using river water.
August 21, 2024