Honoring Melissa Hortman: MN House passes bill to rename state solar garden program

Minnesota House lawmakers voted to name the state's community solar garden program after Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman.

Oil from Monticello nuclear plant leak reaches Mississippi River

Xcel Energy said a "small amount" of mineral oil appeared as a sheen near the Mississippi River shoreline following an estimated 200 gallon oil leak at the Monticello nuclear power plant.

200 gallons of oil leak at Monticello nuclear power plant: Xcel Energy

About 200 gallons of oil leaked at the Monticello nuclear power plant Tuesday during routine maintenance, with some of the oil entering a discharge canal that connects to the Mississippi River, according to Xcel Energy.

Data center debate in Monticello
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Residents in Monticello are raising their concerns over the potential for data centers in their area. FOX 9’s Mike Manzoni has the latest.

Monticello residents rally against proposed data centers

Residents in Monticello are pushing back against two proposed data centers, with many expressing concerns over potential environmental impacts and health risks.

Pollution from power plants spiked last year, report finds: Here's why

Pollution from power plants in the United States increased significantly in 2025, according to an analysis of Environmental Protection Agency data.

Trump calls for tech companies to pay for data centers
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President Trump is calling on major tech companies to pay for data centers and their electricity costs, in hopes that the costs are then passed on to consumers.

Rally at Minnesota Capitol opposes mining near Boundary Waters

A significant rally took place at the State Capitol as people voiced their opposition to a congressional bill that could potentially allow mining near the Boundary Waters.

Google building data center in Pine Island, Minnesota

Google is building a data center in southern Minnesota, the tech giant announced on Tuesday. Google is partnering with Xcel Energy on the project.

William O'Brien State Park water control system to be rebuilt after Lake Alice nearly dried up

William O'Brien State Park will be the sight of a $325,000 project that will include replacing the 1960-era water control structure and dredging the St. Croix River in response to Lake Alice nearly drying up in August 2025.

Minnesota BWCA mining ban latest
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Ahead of a vote to potentially erase a 20-year ban on mining operations in northern Minnesota, Save the Boundary Waters held a press conference outside the Minnesota capitol on Wednesday featuring Senator Tina Smith and other stakeholders to discuss the resolution that “will allow the Trump Administration to fast-track a foreign-owned sulfide-ore copper mining project that has been proven to be a raw deal for Minnesotans and Americans.”

Minnesota’s BWCA mining ban could soon come to an end

A federal ban on mining in the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) expected to protect the lands for 20 years could soon be revoked.

Walz signs executive order to make environmental permit process more efficient

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order aimed at streamlining the environmental permit application timeline within the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Trump repeals landmark environmental protection
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President Donald Trump on Thursday repealed landmark environmental protections, including emissions standards for vehicles. This could change renewable energy efforts. A vote related to mining in the BWCAW is scheduled for next week.

Trump administration revokes EPA's ability to regulate climate change

The Trump administration revoked the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, which has served as the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.

Trump promises $3K savings on new cars with EPA rollback
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President Trump announced major rollbacks on Thursday to EPA vehicle emission standards that the president says will lower the cost of a new car by $3,000.