Agriculture and Food
MPR: Vertical ‘Pinkhouses:’ The Future Of Urban Farming?
Politics in Minnesota: Legislature sends environment and ag budget to Dayton
Session Weekly: House, Senate pass omnibus environment, agriculture bill

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Minnesota Outdoor News: Sportsmen bemoan House Legacy bill, plot next step
MPR: Legacy bill goes with commission’s parks recommendations
MPR: Sportsmen, outdoors council: Legacy bill sets bad precedent
(MEP member group the Nature Conservancy mentioned)
MPR: What’s cut, kept in divisive Legacy bill
Pioneer Press: Ex-Vikings coach Bud Grant: Don’t use outdoors money for metro parks
Star Tribune: Anderson: Minnesotans are waiting for Dayton’s decision
Politics in Minnesota: House and Senate break Legacy impasse
Session Weekly: House gives Legacy bill final stamp of approval
Star Tribune: Bud Grant enters Legacy fray, says Dayton would veto House bill

Climate Change
MPR: OK Tornado Rated EF-5; Link to climate change? Sun returns tomorrow
Triple Pundit: Climate Change Means Shallower Great Lakes and More Expensive Goods

Conservation
Farm and Dairy: Ecosystems work best when there’s diversity
Iggers Digest: Eat for Equity dinner May 25 to support Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
(MEP member group Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness mentioned)
Pioneer Press: Dave Orrick: Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge already making its mark on wildlife
(MEP member group the Nature Conservancy mentioned)
Pioneer Press: For St. Paul Lowertown ballpark, neighbors want deeper impact study
Star Tribune: Smith: In face of widespread habitat loss, conservation fight continues

Education
The Mining Journal: Students converge on MTU for Great Lakes Youth symposium

Energy
Duluth News Tribune: Minnesota pushes solar power; mines, mills off the hook
Greentech Solar: Minnesota Is a Governor’s Signature Away From 450 MW of Solar
(Writers are with MEP member groups Fresh Energy and Sierra Club North Star Chapter)
PV Tech: Minnesota bill will boost solar from 13MW to 450MW
(MEP member group Environment Minnesota mentioned)
Mesabi Daily News: Solar standard exemptions favor Range

Fish and Wildlife
Duluth News Tribune: Study of warming Lake Superior finds less habitat for siscowet lakers but more for walleye, salmon
Duluth News Tribune: Study: Warming Lake Superior affecting fish
MinnPost: Crop costs on the rise; warmer Lake Superior affecting big fish
Star Tribune: New Mille Lacs bass regulations under fire

Fracking and Frac Sand Mining
AP: Marriage, minimum wage, gun control, frac sand: What passed, what didn’t in the 2013 legislative session
Minnesota 2020: Regulating the Sands of Silica
MPR: Enviro budget bill requires DNR approval for frac sand mining
Politics in Minnesota: Broadbased state regulations emerge for frac sand mining
Winona Daily News: Frac sand’s final verdict issued at state Capitol; No moratorium or taxes, but new state council, permit for mines near trout streams
Winona Daily News: Letter: Miller’s misleading frac sand statement
Winona Daily News: Trempealeau County Board balks at frac sand moratorium

Great Lakes
Duluth News Tribune: Lake Superior lighthouse free to right taker
KARE 11: Historic Lake Superior lighthouse offered free – with a catch

Invasive Species
MPR: Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week begins

Mining
Duluth News Tribune: Commentary: Sulfide mining deserves reasoned debate, not the labeling of others
MPR: Agency approves 4th Magnetation plant

Saint Croix River Bridge
MPR: Groundbreaking set for new St. Croix bridge

Transportation
Finance & Commerce: For LRT, issues are more than just money
(MEP member group Transit for Livable Communities mentioned)
MinnPost: Lawmakers give Southwest Corridor LRT unexpected boost
(MEP member group Transit for Livable Communities mentioned)
MPR: Status-quo transportation bill disappoints transit advocates
My Broadsheet: Minnehaha Avenue reconstruction: What we know, what we don’t know
Pioneer Press: Apple Valley bike sale raises funds for mentorship program
Session Weekly: House re-passes “lights on” transportation funding bill
Session Weekly: Transportation policy bill pedals toward governor’s OK
Star Tribune: There’s nothing nice about reaction to NYC’s version of Nice Ride
TC Daily Planet: Where’s the space for community input on Minnehaha Avenue reconstruction? Part one: Bikes
TC Daily Planet: Where’s the space for community input on Minnehaha Avenue reconstruction? Part two: Businesses

Water
Lake Country Echo and Pine River Journal: Pequot Lakes helps landowner seal unused well through grant
Minnesota 2020: Five threats to Minnesota waters
MinnPost: Minnesota lakes anything but pristine, PCA testers find

Minnesota Environmental Partnership (MEP), the statewide coalition of more than 75 organizations working for clean water, clean energy and protection of Minnesota’s Great Outdoors, praised the 2013 Minnesota Legislature for creating a new solar energy standard, and for passing legislation to address water pollution from agricultural run-off and other “nonpoint” sources.

“Legislators took a vital first step forward by establishing a solar energy standard that will help build our state’s clean energy future, produce new jobs, and greatly expand the use of solar energy in Minnesota,” said Steve Morse, executive director of Minnesota Environmental Partnership. The Omnibus Jobs and Economic Development legislation, which is awaiting Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature, includes a 1.5 percent solar energy standard that investor-owned utilities, like Xcel Energy, must meet by the year 2020, and sets a state goal of 10 percent solar energy by 2030.  However, Morse expressed dissatisfaction that cooperative and municipal electric companies were excluded from the standard, as were large timber, paper, and mining companies. “We made strong progress this year, but there is more work to be done to enhance our sustainable energy future and provide fair access to clean solar energy across the entire state.”

MEP also was pleased with the Minnesota Legislature’s action to pass the Clean Water Accountability Act, which addresses pollution caused by runoff – primarily from large agricultural operations that discharge sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, and fecal coliform bacteria into Minnesota’s rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.  The Clean Water Accountability Act directs the state to clearly identify the sources of this pollution and to rank cleanup projects so that the projects that will have the biggest impact are funded first, and requires firm timelines and benchmarks for completing watershed clean-up plans.

In addition, Morse applauded the overall environmental budget and expanded groundwater monitoring legislation that was approved by the 2013 Legislature. Overall funding for state agencies that protect water quality, air quality, natural resources, human health, and provide recreational access to our Great Outdoors was increased for the first time in many years.

Transit Funding, Frac Sand Mining Regulation, Legacy Raids On “Disappointment List”

The lack of action on transit funding topped MEP’s disappointment list. “State elected officials missed a tremendous opportunity to bolster Minnesota’s future when they did not fund the build-out of the state’s transit system,” Morse said. “By not moving forward with more transportation options, we especially punish the elderly, people with disabilities and those on fixed incomes, and we continue to threaten air quality for all Minnesotans.”

The issue of frac sand mining in southeast Minnesota was one of the most visible environmental issues this year.  MEP was disappointed that legislation providing a comprehensive approach of putting strong state regulations in place before the industry could move forward in the region, was not adopted.  Ultimately, some frac sand mining provisions were adopted and will be helpful in protecting trout streams and other sensitive water resources if aggressively implemented and enforced by the Dayton administration.  Notable among those is the requirement for a DNR permit for frac sand mines within a mile of a trout stream in southeast Minnesota.

Finally, Morse expressed concern that legislators are increasingly tapping the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds for programs that have traditionally been funded by fees or from other funds.  “The Legacy funds are intended to take us beyond the status quo in protecting our Great Outdoors, not just let industries off the hook from fee increases.  Elected officials run the risk of ignoring the sentiment of 1.6 million Minnesotans who voted to approve this constitutional amendment.”

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
MPR: Legacy deal hinges on rural vs. urban fight over parks money
Star Tribune: Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

Climate Change
MinnPost: Meet the Alaskans poised to become ‘America’s first climate refugees’

Energy
Midwest Energy News: Are utilities moving quickly enough to cut carbon emissions?
(MEP member groups Fresh Energy, Sierra Club, Izaak Walton League, and Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy mentioned)
MinnPost: A preview of things to come: Republicans smack Rick Nolan on Keystone
Pioneer Press: Klobuchar asks Department of Energy to act on gas prices
Pioneer Press: Senate OKs jobs, energy bill
Politics in Minnesota: House passes jobs and energy conference agreement

Fish and Wildlife
AP: Moose researchers begin collaring calves, seeking answers on decline
Minnesota Outdoor News: Detector dogs trained to sniff out illegal wildlife shipments
MPR: Bill would ensure habitat preservation for bees, pollinators
MPR: Birders worry about glassy new Vikings stadium design
(MEP member group Audubon Minnesota mentioned)
MPR: DNR collaring moose calves to study, protect species
Star Tribune: Anderson: Mille Lacs study of walleye population on thin ice

Fracking and Frac Sand Mining
MPR: Officials should investigate costs, benefits of frac mining, report says
(MEP member group Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy mentioned)

Invasive Species
AP: Gypsy moth traps go up across Minnesota
Pioneer Press: Slippery surveillance: DNR research aims to halt invasive Asian carp
Session Weekly: University of Minnesota gets funds to further its fight against Aquatic Invasive Species

Legislature and Administration
MinnPost: Four members appointed to state Board of Water and Soil Resources

Recycling and Waste Reduction
News Day: What to do about moldy strawberries and slimy lettuce
(MEP member group Eureka Recycling mentioned)

Transportation
Duluth News Tribune: Letter: Invest now in modern transportation system
MinnPost: DFL tax deal will test economic and political strategies
MinnPost: Zipcar car-sharing program expands throughout Minneapolis
Politics in Minnesota: Zelle floats bonding for transportation

• The Clean Water Legacy Accountability Act language is contained in the Legacy bills which, with the Senate’s passage last night of Senator Cohen’s Legacy bill, now have passed off the floor of both chambers.  Next step for CWLA is conference committee.

The Clean Water Legacy Accountability Act is crafted to address certain gaps in Minnesota’s water pollution tracking and cleanup laws, and specifically to nonpoint pollution.  Nonpoint pollution – largely runoff from large agricultural operations – is the single largest source of water pollution in Minnesota today, and is responsible for six out of seven (86%) of water quality impairments to Minnesota waters.  To review the CWLA language in the Senate Legacy Finance bill go to lines 58.1-61.10 of the bill.

• Transit for a Stronger Economy – The Transportation Finance bill is in conference committee today, with the conference report possibly to be finished by midnight tonight.  When the conference committee concludes its work by adopting a Transportation Finance conference report, that report will be taken up for an up-or-down vote in both the House and Senate and, if it passes both, will then go to Governor Dayton for signature.

The conference committee today is attempting to bridge the gap between the House bill, which is a lights-on bill that does not provide increased funds for county roads and bridges, or for transit system completion, and the Senate bill, which includes several sources of additional funding needed to complete a modern 21^st century transit system in the metro area and improve greater Minnesota transit service.  For more detail, see the Senate Transportation Finance bill, Article 2.

• Clean Energy & Jobs – The Energy conference committee finished its work on Tuesday with the adoption of conference report that includes a solar energy standard of 1.5% by 2020 for investor-owned utilities, but no boost to the (primarily wind) Renewable Energy Standard.  Later Tuesday night, the energy conference report’s exact language was offered as an amendment in the Omnibus Jobs and Economic Development conference committee.  The amendment was adopted and the Energy conference report now is contained in the Jobs conference report.  The Jobs conference report passed the House late last Wednesday night.  The next step is an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor, which is likely to come today.  You can find the Energy conference report here.

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Act
MPR: Clean Water Accountability Act expected to pass Legislature this week
(MEP member groups Freshwater Socity and Friends of the Mississipi River mentioned)

Energy
AP: Utility may seek rate hike after flood
Duluth News Tribune: Solar power bills to conference committee
Duluth News Tribune: Will Steger to attend Duluth clean-energy forum
(MEP and MEP member groups  Conservation Minnesota, Fresh Energy, Izaak Walton League, Sierra Club North Star Chapter and the Will Steger Foundation mentioned)
MPR: Bill mandating solar energy from utility companies passes Senate
Star Tribune: Xcel aiming to get weather forecasts on the nose (of the wind turbine)

Fish and Wildlife
Star Tribune: Commentary: Honeybee die-off brings ‘Silent Spring’ back to mind

Fracking and Frac Sand Mining
Filmore County Journal: Letter: Senator Miller and sand mining
Red Wing Republican Eagle: A bird’s-eye view of mining
Rochester Post Bulletin: Sinkholes, frac sand mining are a dangerous combination
TC Daily Planet: Commentary: Contact Gov. Dayton today about frac sand mining
Winona Daily News: Commentary: Fracking and responsibility

Mining
Star Tribune: Environmental review sought for Minntac expansion
(MEP member group Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy mentioned)

Parks and Trails
Star Tribune: Lebanon Hills Regional Park in line for paved trails and some object

Pollution and Toxins
AP: In Minnesota lakes, chemicals, drugs are common, study finds
MPR: Cocaine, DEET, other chemicals found in Minnesota lakes
Star Tribune: Minnesota lakes contaminated with all kinds of chemicals

Saint Croix River Bridge
Star Tribune: St. Croix bridge construction starts with a roar

Transportation
Duluth News Tribune: Letter: Many unanswered questions on rail plan
MinnPost: Bottineau LRT: Tiny step closer — but nowhere near a done deal
(MEP member group Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy mentioned)
MinnPost: No bill is ‘dead’ until lawmakers go home
Politics in Minnesota: Senate revives gas tax during floor session
Star Tribune: DFLers push gas, transit tax hikes
Star Tribune: Public can help reshape Minneapolis’ Washington Avenue
Star Tribune: Smart Cars, HourCar, ZipCar coming soon to City of Lakes
Star Tribune: St. Anthony: After 40 years, bike entrepreneur is still on a roll

Agriculture
MPR: Biking Minnesota’s countryside to show innovation

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Politics in Minnesota: Senate unveils Legacy funding bill
Session Weekly: Beyond the Bill: Legacy funding’s complicated road to the House Floor
Stillwater Gazette: Groups honor city for legacy fund use
(MEP member group Conservation Minnesota mentioned)

Conservation
Pioneer Press: Editorial: A Great River Gathering
Session Weekly: Land swap causes stir, as House moves omnibus lands bill

Energy
Austin Daily Herald: Clean energy legislation moves one step closer to law
MinnPost: New N.D. oil projections offer opportunities for Minnesota businesses
Politics in Minnesota: Senate passes watered-down energy bill
Session Weekly: House green lights new solar energy standard

Fish and Wildlife
Duluth News Tribune: Are you crazy enough to grab a loon? Grounded birds need your help
MPR: Voyageurs Park moose population holding steady, bucking trend
Pioneer Press: Save Minnesota Moose group plans second fundraiser in Mendota Heights

Fracking and Frac Sand Mining
MPR: Many proposed frac sand mines would fail ‘trout stream’ test
MPR: Mining reps meet with Dayton over proposed limits
Spring Grover Herald: Letter: Sen. Miller siding with frac sand special interests, not his constituents
Star Tribune: Commentary: Minnesota waters need clearer regulation
Star Tribune: Dwindling frac sand legislation rests on trout stream setbacks
Star Tribune: Editorial: Minnesota Legislature must protect trout streams

Invasive Species
Star Tribune: Anoka seeks backup barrier to halt spread of Asian carp
Star Tribune: Another Minnesota May ritual: Emerald ash borer emergence

Mining
AP: Gogebic Taconite applies for exploratory mining permit

Recycling and Waste Reduction
Pioneer Press: St. Paul waste disposal open to all Saturday

Sustainable Development
MPR: A look at the tiny house movement

Transportation
Open Saint Paul: What concerns do you have about riding a bicycle in Saint Paul? Where would you like to ride a bicycle, but currently do not because of safety concerns?
Open Saint Paul: What is your vision for bicycling in the City of Saint Paul? What key objectives should the Citywide Bicycle Master Plan accomplish?
Open Saint Paul: Where are bicycle facilities needed? Are there examples of good bikeway designs from Saint Paul or other cities that you would like to see repeated in Saint Paul?
Star Tribune: Minn. Senate to take up transportation plan
TC Daily Planet: Bills to prevent parking, driving in bike lanes in final stages

Clean Energy & Jobs Legislation Passes the Minnesota Senate

Legislation Establishes Solar Energy Standard; Represents Good First Step Toward Creating Jobs, Making Solar Cheaper and More Accessible for All Minnesotans

[SAINT PAUL, MN] The Minnesota Senate today passed clean energy and jobs legislation that establishes a solar energy standard of 1 percent by 2025. The bill – which will create jobs in the state and will make solar energy more affordable and more accessible for all Minnesotans – passed the Senate by a vote of 37-26. The Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs campaign released the following statement:

“This legislation is the good first step forward in the effort to create good jobs, to make solar energy more affordable and more accessible, and to protect Minnesota’s air, land and water for generations to come. We have a responsibility to compete in the marketplace for clean energy and compete for the jobs that come with it.

“We must act this year on legislation that establishes a strong solar energy standard, which will catalyze investment, creates new jobs, and show that our state is open for renewable energy business. We look forward to working with Conferees as they negotiate a strong solar energy standard for the state of Minnesota.”

The legislation includes the following provisions:

• Requires investor-owned utilities to provide at least 1 percent of its power through solar electricity by the end of 2025.
• Requires the Department of Commerce to calculate a “value of solar,” which would determine how much utilities would pay small producers. The amount would be adjusted annually.
• The bill also would offer incentives to owners of solar equipment made in Minnesota.

###

The Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs campaign mobilizes more than 60 energy, labor, youth, faith, environment, and conservation groups, as well as clean energy businesses to answer Governor Mark Dayton’s call to establish Minnesota’s clean energy future – by advancing renewable sources of energy while creating and supporting good jobs for Minnesotans. For more information: Visit http://www.cleanenergyjobs.mn/

CONTACT:
Cathy Kennedy
612.309.3951
cathryn@cathrynkennedy.com

Clean Energy & Jobs Legislation Passes the Minnesota House

Legislation Establishes 40 Percent by 2030 Renewable Electricity Standard,
Solar Energy Standard

[SAINT PAUL, MN] The Minnesota House of Representatives last night passed clean energy and jobs legislation, establishing a solar standard of 4 percent by 2025, as well as an increase in the state’s Renewable Electricity Standard to 40 percent by 2030 for investor-owned utilities. The bill passed the House by 70-63. The Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs campaign released the following statement:

“This legislation will provide good jobs and protect Minnesota’s air, land and water for generations to come. We have a responsibility to compete in the marketplace for clean energy and compete for the jobs that come with it. This is a tremendous step toward a clean energy economy in this state.

“Speaker Thissen and Representative Hortman deserve heartfelt thanks for ensuring that clean, renewable energy will be produced in Minnesota. Although there’s more to be done, this legislation will catalyze investment, creates new jobs, and shows that our state is open for renewable energy business.”

The legislation includes the following provisions:

• Increases the state’s existing Renewable Electricity Standard to 40 percent by 2030, up from 25 percent by 2025, for investor-owned utilities.
• Requires investor-owned utilities to provide at least 0.5 percent of its power through solar electricity by the end of 2016; 2 percent by late 2020; and 4 percent by late 2025.
• Requires investor-owned utilities to invest 1-1/3 percent of their annual retail sales in subsidies for homeowners and businesses to install small solar systems.
• Requires the Department of Commerce to calculate a “value of solar,” which would determine how much utilities would pay small producers. The amount would be adjusted annually.
• The bill also would offer incentives to owners of solar equipment made in Minnesota.

###

The Minnesota Clean Energy & Jobs campaign mobilizes more than 60 energy, labor, youth, faith, environment, and conservation groups, as well as clean energy businesses to answer Governor Mark Dayton’s call to establish Minnesota’s clean energy future – by advancing clean, renewable sources of energy while creating and supporting good jobs for Minnesotans. For more information: Visit http://www.cleanenergyjobs.mn/