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Energy & Resources

  • NASA scientist asks Pawlenty to oppose coal power
    A NASA scientist has appealed in a letter to Gov. Tim Pawlenty to oppose the construction of the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant along the Minnesota-South Dakota border.April 24, 2008
  • Natural gas prices keep rising ahead of summer energy crunch
    Analysts at the Minnesota Department of Commerce say this year's natural gas prices are the highest they've seen since hurricanes Rita and Katrina in 2005.April 23, 2008
  • Area mayors welcome green manufacturers
    The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis say they will lay out the welcome mat for companies that make products. The announcement is in response to a report which suggests the two cities are well poised to create so-called "green-collar" jobs in the areas of renewable energy, building and transportation.April 23, 2008
  • Energy company opens ultra-green headquarters
    Great River Energy is dedicating its new energy efficient headquarters today. The company says the building will be the first in Minnesota to apply for the highest level of LEED certification.April 22, 2008
  • Jeffrey Sachs on 'Common Wealth'
    Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and leading expert in economic development, poverty elimination, and environmental sustainability, recently discussed his new book, "Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet" recently at the Commonwealth Club of California.Midday, April 22, 2008
  • Broadcast of Forum event on energy independence and security
    As the price of a gallon of gasoline climbs above three dollars, the search for an alternative to Middle Eastern oil is becoming a greater priority for the nation. But what are the alternatives, and how realistic is it that they will replace oil as our main source of fuel for transportation? And if importing oil from unstable regions remains a large part of the energy equation, how does the United States maintain its security? These were some of the issues discussed in the UBS Forum on April 17.Midmorning, April 21, 2008
  • Legislators take step toward greener cars and trucks
    Several legislative committees joined Tuesday to hear about a proposed low-carbon fuel standard, their first crack at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from Minnesota's cars and trucks.April 16, 2008
  • Xcel requests extensions on nuclear plant licenses
    Xcel Energy plans to expand power generation and extend the life of its Prairie Island nuclear plant.April 15, 2008
  • News Cut: Ethanol tax vs. gas tax
    For all the talk about the ruin to be caused by the gas tax increase in Minnesota, comparatively little is said in the state these days about the "ethanol tax," which has had a significant impact in the cost of operating a vehicle.April 14, 2008
  • Sioux Falls to sell landfill methane to ethanol plant
    The city of Sioux Falls will sell methane gas from decomposing garbage in landfills to fuel a nearby ethanol plant.April 11, 2008
  • North Dakota oil finds a big one
    The oil industry is booming in North Dakota, and a new study is likely to encourage even more development. The U.S. Geological Survey says North Dakota has the largest recoverable oil formation in the lower 48 states.April 11, 2008
  • Legislators consider California's "clean car" standards
    Minnesota legislators heard Monday a hot debate over whether to adopt California's "clean car" standards. California and twelve other states plan to phase in strict greenhouse gas emissions rules.April 8, 2008
  • NWA CEO: Rising oil prices are a "budget-breaker"
    Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland said the rapid increase in fuel costs is another reason Northwest officials believe mergers in the industry are inevitable.March 11, 2008
  • Designing efficiency at Duluth conference
    More than 1,000 builders, architects, and homeowners are learning about energy-efficient design at a conference in Duluth this week.February 26, 2008
  • Xcel asks to increase generation at Monticello plant
    Xcel Energy wants to make more electricity at its nuclear power plant in Monticello. Company officials asked state regulators to allow more power generation to meet a growing need for electricity in Minnesota.February 15, 2008

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