Slowing down carbon emissions A task force is due to vote Wednesday on some measures Minnesotans could take to reduce our carbon footprint. One idea is to lower the speed limit on interstate highways.December 5, 2007
Biodiesel industry sputtering These are tough times for farm-based renewable fuels. Biodiesel producers are being squeezed by high soybean prices. Some plants have closed.November 30, 2007
New science from an old oil spill An oil spill northwest of Bemidji in 1979 has taught geologists about the environmental effects of oil contamination.November 30, 2007
Several agencies will investigate cause of explosion The Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety is the lead investigator on the pipeline fire and explosion that took place near Clearbrook in northern Minnesota. It could take up to six months to complete.November 29, 2007
Pipeline explosion a lesson in worldwide energy policy The shutdown of major oil pipelines running through Clearbrook, Minnesota, is providing a surprising lesson about Minnesota's role in world oil markets. Oil prices fluctuated Thursday as oil buyers waffled on how much of problem they thought the shutdown would cause.November 29, 2007
Pipeline fire drives oil prices upward A pipeline fire in Clearbook Minnesota killed two workers. It also sent prices up, as a crucial part of the system that brings millions of barrels of oil to the Upper Midwest had to be closed.Midmorning, November 29, 2007
Critics voice concerns at Iron Range power plant EIS meeting The critics ruled at a public meeting for a proposed Iron Range power plant Tuesday. The gathering in the town of Taconite was to hear comments on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for Excelsior Energy's proposed coal gasification power plant.November 28, 2007
Do we buy ethanol (in Minnesota) because we have to? Imagine you are driving through the Midwest and you need gasoline. Chances are that gas will have some level of ethanol in it. Many states have required ethanol without asking if consumers want it, or if it's environmentally sound.November 20, 2007
Oil and the new machine Some experts say the auto industry must adapt to energy shortages to survive. A new book examines what transportation could look like in the future for Detroit's Big Three and the global auto industry.Midmorning, November 19, 2007
Metro Transit goes green Bob Gibbons of the Metro Transit Service talks about the new fleet of hybrid buses hitting the streets of Minneapolis.November 16, 2007
Ethanol celebrates a milestone It was ten years ago that Minnesota became the first state to require a 10 percent blend of ethanol in all gas. Now, the industry is experiencing a glut and prices are in the dumper. So, is this fledgling industry mature enough so that our policies around it should change?November 15, 2007
Experts look to timber as next generation energy source Ethanol production in the U.S. relies mostly on corn. But timber industry experts say emerging technologies will soon make Minnesota's vast northern forests a new source for ethanol.November 1, 2007