By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) This week, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced that for the first time, it had completed an assessment of all the watersheds in Minnesota, and released a draft list of lakes, streams, and rivers considered impaired, which increased in number by 581. This includes about half of all… Read more »
Posts By: Matt Doll
US to start Paris Agreement withdrawal, Minnesota keeps moving forward
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) This week marked the beginning of the end of the federal government’s participation in the Paris Climate Agreement. Despite the clear and present necessity of climate action, the non-binding terms of the pact, and the participation of every other UN member country, the Trump Administration argued that the agreement… Read more »
Railroad proposes to take MN water southwest
Unlike Great Lakes, inland waters have relatively few protections By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) On Thursday, the Star Tribune reported that the company Progressive Rail has offered an unprecedented new proposal to transfer half a billion gallons of water each year from two wells in Dakota County to the Colorado River basin. This water would… Read more »
Court continues PolyMet permit suspension, thanks to tribal and environmental advocacy
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) On Thursday, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ordered that the permit to mine for the PolyMet project would continue to be suspended while it considers whether to accept or reject the permit. This decision came a day after the court heard arguments from the DNR and PolyMet in favor… Read more »
Court of Appeals deals an obstacle into Daley Farms expansion permit
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) On Monday, October 14 the Minnesota Court of Appeals made a significant ruling in the case of Daley Farms, a Winona County dairy operation proposing to more than double the number of animals in its feed lot. Issuing a decision on a suit brought by MEP members Minnesota Center… Read more »
Climate adaptation: the biggest threat and opportunity for Minnesota farms
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) So far, 2019 has seen Minnesota’s skies break monthly precipitation records across the board, Given the soggy first weeks of October, it seems quite plausible that it will be the rainiest year we’ve ever recorded. While perhaps less visible than the wildfires in western states and provinces, these heavy… Read more »
PUC will reconsider Line 3 approval this February, resistance remains energized
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) This week, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) commenced a new stage in the consideration process for the Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline.. Roughly one year after the PUC had initially allowed the pipeline to move forward, the Minnesota Court of Appeals sent the project’s environmental impact statement (EIS)… Read more »
Clean Cars plan is a win-win step for Minnesota
photo credit: Dept. of Energy By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership – (@mattjdoll) On Wednesday, as part of Climate Week in Minnesota, the Walz Administration announced its intent to make Minnesota the latest of 15 states to begin adopting clean car standards. Governor Walz directed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to begin rule making that would require automakers… Read more »
Keeping “forever chemicals” out of Minnesota waters
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This week, the US House Oversight Subcommittee on Environment held hearings on a growing health and safety issue in our waters and environments, especially in Minnesota: chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs. These two types of chemicals are ubiquitous in many consumer products, including fabrics, stain-… Read more »
Minnesotans join with global climate strike September 20
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On September 20, the second year of the Global Climate Strike movement will be well-represented here in Minnesota. Ten events across the state have been registered with the Strike in Center City, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph, Moose Lake, Morris, Willmar, Minneapolis, St. Peter, Northfield, Mankato, and St. Paul. The St. Paul event is… Read more »