By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership In many ways, Minnesota is defined in the popular imagination by our boundless opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. Our thousand lakes and the cool, pure air and water of the North Shore attract visitors from around the world. But Minnesota’s water and air are not immune to the dangers… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Tuesday, August 14, Minnesotans in every county and district will cast ballots in what may one of the most significant primary elections in our state’s recent history. Many have already voted early, in person or by mail, and this year’s turnout is expected to be significant even for… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This week was an important one for the future of clean energy and climate change in Minnesota, the U.S., and the world. The McKnight Foundation released a report projecting how Minnesota can meet our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. The green economy reached a… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership In last week’s post, (MDA seeking Minnesotans’ feedback on nitrogen rule) we explained the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s process for developing its Groundwater Protection Rule, which aims to protect Minnesotans’ drinking water from nitrate contamination. MEP Executive Director Steve Morse testified on the need for these protections at a… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This week, the Office of Administrative Hearings held comment sessions in Farmington, Stewartville, and Worthington on the MN Department of Agriculture’s proposed Groundwater Protection Rule. They will also host two hearings next week in St. Cloud (July 25) and Park Rapids (July 26), and will accept written comments through August 15. The MDA… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership Over 40 people from around the country went on a field tour of the University of Minnesota’s innovative cover and perennial crops as part of the US Water Alliance’s annual One Water Summit held in Minneapolis last week. Researchers, regulators, policymakers, and other water experts saw firsthand the fruits… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership While the biggest recent news from the Environmental Protection Agency concerns a major change in its controversial leadership in Washington, the EPA’s activities closer to Minnesota will also bear critical effects on our state. The EPA is developing an action plan for its work on the Great Lakes Restoration… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Thursday, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to grant a certificate of need to the proposed Enbridge Line 3 replacement oil pipeline, which would deliver Canadian tar sands oil across Minnesota to Superior, Wisconsin. The Commission also chose, on a 3-2 vote, to grant Enbridge its preferred… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership On Thursday, a group of Minnesota businesses and MEP member group Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of the Interior over its reinstatement of expired mineral leases for Twin Metals. Twin Metals is proposing to use these mineral rights to open and operate a… Read more »
By Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership This month is shaping up to be a big one for the health of Minnesota’s water, land, and communities. Last week, the staff of the Public Utilities Commission released nonbinding recommendation that the proposed Enbridge Line 3 oil pipeline be approved, and that its new route should be favored… Read more »