Topics

Energy & Resources

• Better than coal?
  Is wood power the answer to a cleaner future? Some Iron Rangers think wood is a better fuel than coal for a pair of electrical power plants. Some others think wood is a step backwards.May 11, 2005
• Western Minnesota winds could be made into hydrogen
  Hydrogen is considered by many to be the answer to America's future energy needs. Researchers in western Minnesota have begun a project to turn wind power into hydrogen.April 22, 2005
• High gas prices prompting some changes
  Gas prices are averaging $2.20 a gallon across Minnesota and the government predicts they will stay that way for quite some time. The high prices are prompting some drivers to make changes.April 11, 2005
• The ethanol equation
  Ethanol is known to many as the fuel which takes more energy to make than it yields. The Cornell scientist most known for promoting the claim says that equation also applies to other fuels.March 21, 2005
• Electrical power from the forest
  In a couple of years, a portion of your electrical power might come from the forests of Northern Minnesota. Wood from tree farms and logging left overs will fire the boilers at power plants in Hibbing and Virginia. They'll help Xcel Energy meet a mandate for bio-mass generated power.February 25, 2005
• Off-peak electricity customers shivering
  Some people sign up for 'off-peak' electricity, to save money on their bills. But customers find their power is going off a lot more during the winter heating season.January 21, 2005
• Biodiesel production begins in Minnesota
  Minnesota is the first state in the U.S. to require the use of biodiesel fuels. A plant near Redwood Falls is the first in the state to produce the new fuel.January 7, 2005
• Report: Kyoto treaty rejection hurts U.S. businesses
  An environmental group says American businesses are being hurt by the U.S. decision to opt out of international approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.December 15, 2004
• Demand for help with heating bills already strong this winter
  State officials and community service organizations are urging people who think they may need help paying their heating bills this winter to apply for heating assistance as soon as possible. Demand for assistance is expected to be strong this year. The cost of natural gas and oil is projected to be up by as much as a third over last yearNovember 29, 2004
• St. Paul businesses going solar with the help of customers
  Energy prices are up. A gallon of gas is hovering around $2, and projections are that natural gas is going to be much more expensive this winter. The high cost of energy is leading many people to look toward alternative sources of energy. Some businesses in St. Paul are looking into solar energy. But there are obstacles to making solar an affordable option for everybody.October 6, 2004
• Minnesota governor opens push for stricter ethanol requirement
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Monday announced a goal of doubling the ethanol in every gallon of Minnesota gasoline by 2010. The ethanol industry praised the goal, but automakers reacted skeptically.September 27, 2004
• Making buildings environmentally sound
  Architects are trying to find ways to build public spaces that make sense for the environment and for the health of workers.September 21, 2004
• Some wrongly-billed Xcel customers were also disconnected
  Xcel Energy shut off service to at least 28 customers who were mistakenly over-billed because of faulty gas meter reporting devices. Xcel revealed last week that at least 164 customers were billed double what they owed because of problems with wireless meter reading devices. The utility has apologized to affected customers, is issuing refunds, and says it continues to investigate the problem.July 19, 2004
• Why gas prices are so jumpy
  If you drive, you're undoubtedly watching gas prices. They change a lot -- sometimes more than once a day, and mostly upwards over the past several months. Last week, Twin Cities gas prices jumped 20 cents a gallon, to $2.20 in many cases. They've fallen since then, but that got us wondering about why prices change so much.May 26, 2004
• Gasoline prices not finished rising yet
  Gasoline prices are hitting new highs almost every day. Prices in Minnesota vary around $1.90 a gallon in Fergus Falls to $2.10 in International Falls. And there's little hope for a price drop anytime soon. Now a refinery problem threatens to push Minnesota prices higher yet.May 17, 2004

• Previous
• 45
• 46
• 47
• 48
• 49
• 50
• 51
• 52
• 53
• 54
• Next