By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Two major developments on PolyMet’s proposed copper-nickel sulfide mine in northern Minnesota were announced this week. On Monday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals overturned the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) air permits for the PolyMet mine. The Court found that in its permit, the MPCA hadn’t adequately considered the… Read more »
Online comments open through April 10 By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Earlier this week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced that in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, it would extend the online comment period on its permits for the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline by one week and shift from holding in-person… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Last week, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul announced a major policy change to increase safety for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists in both cities: the vast majority of road miles within the two cities will have speed limits decreased from 30 mph to 20 mph, while arterial street speeds will be pegged… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Monday, the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus unveiled “Minnesota Can-Do Climate Actions,” a package of bills to invest $191.5 million from the projected state budget surplus in one-time spending into Minnesota communities for clean energy, clean transportation, and conservation efforts. Last week, we wrote about how Minnesota can… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Last week, we offered a brief preview of the Legislature’s work in the 2020 session, which began on Tuesday. One of the crucial aspects of this session is its traditional status as a bonding year. Bonding allows the state to borrow money to finance capital projects – mostly including new infrastructure… Read more »
Photos © iStockphoto.com/BrianLasenby By Emily Levang, Environmental Writer. Originally posted at Ensia. Around the world, communities are using “Rights of Nature” laws to defend waterways, species and more from human threats February 4, 2020 — A great blue heron walks slowly on long legs. A loud splash just might signal the presence of an endangered… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Tuesday, February 11, the Minnesota Legislature will begin its 2020 regular session, which is scheduled to run no later than May 18. The shorter, even-year session is traditionally a bonding year, in which the Legislature will consider funding capital investment projects across the state. With the need for… Read more »
photo credit: Andy Pearson, MN350 By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Yesterday, dozens of Minnesotans gathered at the Minnesota Senate Building for a rare event – the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) directly took public comments on the Line 3 oil pipeline proposal. As we wrote last week, the PUC is considering whether to reissue the Line… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This Friday, January 31, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) will hold a public comment hearing on the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline replacement. This hearing will inform the PUC’s decision on whether to grant the oil pipeline a Certificate of Need and a Route Permit, both of which are required before the project… Read more »
Decision on PolyMet, bill to protect BWCAW are encouraging signs By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Monday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals dealt a breakthrough victory to tribal and environmental advocates, reversing Department of Natural Resources (DNR) permits for the PolyMet mine. The Court determined that questions about PolyMet’s safety, finances, and ownership merited… Read more »