Recent content from Walker Orenstein
Minn. regulators approve controversial Summit carbon pipeline
Construction on Summit's pipeline can't start until the project moves ahead in North Dakota. It has inspired a debate over risk of a leak and the value of carbon capture for ethanol as a climate solution.
Minnesota is now offering rebates for home batteries. Should you get one?
Installers and experts say batteries can be a good source of backup power for homes and businesses. They could also be a moneymaker, though not yet for most Minnesotans.
CenterPoint agrees to smaller gas bill hike for Minnesota customers
The increases are smaller than what the Houston-based company originally wanted and would result in an extra $3.97 on the average monthly bill.
Minnesota utilities expect billions from Biden's clean energy law. Its future under Trump is uncertain.
Power companies say grants and tax credits will help them bring down the cost of a shift away from fossil fuels for customers. There is some GOP support for the Inflation Reduction Act as it pours money into politically conservative areas.
Two injured in Minnesota hunting-related gunshot incidents Saturday
Authorities said the 34-year-old Dilworth man was in serious condition when transported to a Fargo hospital. A 37-year-old man sustained a nonlife-threatening gunshot injury in Norman County.
BCA investigating fatal St. Paul police shooting of man in West Seventh neighborhood
The incident comes nearly two weeks after St. Paul officers shot an armed man suspected of killing three people.
Minnesota homeowners say they were hit with huge hidden fees when going solar
Attorney General Keith Ellison has accused finance companies of hiding big fees while offering low interest rates to solar customers. The companies say they're obeying the law.
Xcel to spend $11B more than planned to keep up with accelerating changes in energy system
The company says its five-year spending plan of $34 billion last year has jumped to $45 billion, and says customers won't see the full rate increase in bills because of federal tax credits.
State OKs higher electric rates for Minnesota Power customers
The second rate increase in two years was smaller than what was sought by the Duluth-based utility.
A new iron magnet — invented in Minnesota — could reduce reliance on China for EV motors and cellphones
Niron Magnetics makes magnets without "rare earth" elements that can be used in electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, cellphones, headphones and more.
In Minnesota, the switch to electric vehicles includes your local Zamboni
It's a quintessentially Minnesotan sign of the continued march of the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels. The Minnesota Wild is following the lead of most local rinks.
Walz put national spotlight on a large Minnesota solar plant, but overstates size of plant
Heliene Inc.'s plant in the small town of Mountain Iron was Walz's local example of a green jobs creator — growing in part thanks to incentives passed under President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris.
After four years, workers start clearing wind turbine junk from Minnesota community
A local company is hauling away a gigantic pile of fiberglass and metal wind turbine blades abandoned in Grand Meadow in late 2020 after state utility regulators intervened.
From Line 3 to 'carbon-free': Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's record on environment and climate
As governor, Walz boasts a series of what progressives view as major wins, but he has also disappointed environmental advocates on decisions about mining, oil pipelines, ag pollution and more.
Burning wood and trash might qualify as carbon free under 2040 climate law, Minnesota regulators find
The state Public Utilities Commission weighed in on a complex and controversial debate over what qualifies as carbon-free under Minnesota's landmark law targeting a clean electric grid by 2040.
Minnesota regulators: Xcel must refund customers for Prairie Island outage caused by severed cables
Xcel wanted customers to pick up the tab for buying substitute power as the facility was fixed, despite acknowledging it drilled without using ground radar.
Minnesota wants carbon-free power by 2040. Xcel wants at least one new gas plant.
Xcel says the gas is needed for reliable power. Environmentalists and the attorney general say building new facilities is too expensive for customers and harms the climate.
Minnesota regulators narrowly approve gas pipeline near Pipestone Monument
On a 3-2 vote, the state Public Utilities Commission sided with Magellan Pipeline Co. over tribes who consider the area foundational to their religious beliefs.
Bid to reopen oil pipeline near Pipestone monument prompts tribal backlash
Out of service for two years, the pipeline would be routed around the monument. But Native Americans say it threatens a quarry that one local official calls "key to our spirituality."
Wind power developer pledges to clear discarded turbine blades from Minnesota town
NextEra Energy told Minnesota utility regulators it would start moving the junk next month after two startup recycling contractors failed to do so for nearly four years.
Future of discarded wind turbine blades in Minnesota town gets cloudier after company disappears
With the future uncertain for the gigantic pile of wind junk, one man tried to cut through a blade with a stump grinder.
Minnesota farm country debates what could be the state's first carbon-capture pipeline
Pipeline safety and environmental benefits are in question as the Summit Carbon Solutions project — an $8.9 billion system in five Upper Midwest states — tries to move ahead in Minnesota.
Giant solar projects could transform Minnesota's energy landscape
More than a dozen colossal projects across mostly rural areas of the state could substantially boost Minnesota's modest capacity for solar energy.
After backlash, Xcel retreats from Minnesota plan for higher peak rates, lower overnight costs
The Minneapolis-based company is now pitching a voluntary "time of use" program that allows residential customers to opt in to dynamic rates with lower peak prices, rather than automatically enrolling everyone.
State warned Minnesota Power about spills before 5-million-gallon coal plant leak
The Duluth-based utility reported 11 spills — all much smaller — between October 2021 and October 2023 at its large Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset, Minn., including three of ash wastewater.
'Seriously, this sucks': How a small Minnesota town was left with a giant pile of wind turbine blades
Grand Meadow wants someone to get rid of the mess after a failed effort to recycle the massive, worn-out parts.
Minnesota approves nearly $1 billion project to bring North Dakota wind power to state
Minnesota Power won key permits to modernize and expand a giant high-voltage power line, which it says is critical to avoid outages and keep wind energy flowing to customers.
Minnesota wants to be carbon-free by 2040, but it still hasn't decided what that means
The Public Utilities Commission must decide what counts as carbon-free as utilities move to a clean grid.
PUC approves Xcel plan to replace retiring Minnesota coal plant with mega solar farm
Utility regulators on Thursday granted a key permit for the third large Xcel solar project in Becker, the last in a trio that together will be one of the country's largest farms. The power will help replace the outgoing Sherco coal plant.
A million gallons of coal ash wastewater spills at Minnesota Power coal plant
The Duluth-based electric utility said an unknown amount of polluted water had reached a nearby lake after a pipe leaked.
Minnesota dams mostly held up in June flooding, but old structures need repair
The Rapidan Dam near Mankato drew a national spotlight to what is a common problem in the state: old and creaky dams that are costly to fix, replace or remove.
Minnesota Power parent company explored sale starting in 2022 ahead of $6.2 billion deal
That revelation and others — like how the company CEO would cash in on the sale — came as part of disclosures ahead of an August stockholder vote to take Allete private.
Bridge next to Rapidan Dam at risk of failure a week after major flooding
Blue Earth County attempted an emergency operation to stabilize the bridge last week.
Xcel agrees to smaller Minnesota gas rate hike in deal for 7.5% increase
A settlement with state officials and others would result in an extra $4.20 per month on the bills of residential customers if utility regulators approve. The money would partly pay for maintenance and upgrades to Xcel's gas distribution and transmission infrastructure.
Xcel seeks $1.9 billion from Colorado customers to fund wildfire mitigation after 2021 blaze
The Minneapolis-based company is facing an onslaught of lawsuits from two destructive fires in Colorado and Texas. The plan would raise residential bills in Colorado by 9.56% but would not affect Minnesota rates.
House collapses into river near Rapidan Dam in southern Minn.
Blue Earth County authorities "monitoring for downstream impacts" after house falls into water.
The Rapidan Dam near Mankato will likely survive this flood. But what about the next?
Destructive flooding in 2019 and 2020 had previously left the 114-year-old hydroelectric plant inoperable and county officials grappling with the choice of spending at least $15 million to repair it — with little hope of making enough money from selling power — or shelling out $82 million to remove it.
Dam near Mankato in danger of 'imminent failure'
Flooding has washed out a portion of the Rapidan Dam on the Blue Earth River, as the water continues to rise.
Minnesota unions won new labor rules for broadband. Will it slow $652 million for rural access?
A volatile rift over proposed wage and safety rules as unions pushed for higher standards made the telecom industry warn Minnesota would lose out on once-in-a-generation funding for fast internet in rural areas. What passed has raised its own debate.
Utility regulators hosted annual conference in Minneapolis with money from entities they oversee
The Mid-America Regulatory Conference raises questions about the ethics of soliciting money from companies and interest groups the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission regulates.
Corn-sugar chemical plant in Minnesota lands $213 million federal loan
Texas-based Solugen aims to build a large manufacturing plant in Marshall, Minn., for turning corn sugar into chemicals usually made from petroleum.
With 'outdated' electric grid, major new rule with Midwest ties could boost renewables
In Minneapolis, FERC Commissioner Allison Clements promoted a significant new federal rule that could be a part of a needed grid overhaul.
Customers or shareholders: Xcel, state divided on who should pay for Prairie Island outage
The nuclear plant was down for more than 100 days starting in October after workers accidentally cut underground cables, and the cost to buy replacement energy on the open market in 2023 was more than $23 million.
As U.S. Steel opens new Iron Range taconite facility, its potential foreign sale looms
Japan's Nippon Steel plans to acquire the company pending regulatory approval, but the transaction, announced in December 2023, has drawn national security and supply chain concerns.
Embroiled in lawsuits from wildfires, Xcel faces tradeoffs of safety vs. cost
Xcel's equipment has allegedly been a source for blazes in Colorado and Texas, but the public utility is one of many grappling with tough questions of how to prevent such disasters.
Minnesotans find Xcel's dynamic pricing plan too aggressive, not worth energy savings
"Time-of-use" electric rates — like a surcharge during busy hours for rideshares — is becoming more common in the U.S., but consumers, state officials and nonprofit advocates don't feel the two-year pilot program proved the rates work.
DFL resolves division on permitting and community solar credits in energy legislation
Despite late-session negotiations, energy legislation passed without any major upheaval.
World's largest asset manager behind Duluth energy company Allete's $6.2B sale
BlackRock is buying Global Infrastructure Partners, which would be the majority owner of Allete if regulators approve the deal. That has raised some eyebrows among consumer advocates.
At last minute, House DFLers quietly push to overturn major ruling on community solar
The effort brings up an acrimonious debate over the costs and benefits of community solar, and could threaten legislation meant to cut red tape for clean energy development.
PUC wants buyers of Duluth energy company Allete to clarify local workforce commitment
Global Infrastructure Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board appeared before the Public Utilities Commission on Thursday to discuss their $6.2 billion deal.
Balls, orbs or neurons: The pioneering tech helping Great River Energy manage transmission lines
A small sphere Norway's Heimdall Power created aims to free up space and reduce congestion, potentially eliminating the need for new infrastructure.
Duluth electric utility owner Allete to go private after $6.2 billion sale
A Canadian pension board and an investment fund partnered to buy the company, which will keep its headquarters in Minnesota.
Minnesota Power agrees to smaller bill increase for customers in settlement
If utility regulators approve the deal with state officials, residential customers' electric rates would increase 4.9% instead of the originally posed 12%.
Minnesota DFL wants faster clean energy permits, but some are wary of shortcutting public input
Lawmakers promise an effort to cut red tape for clean power won't result in meaningfully less oversight or public involvement.
Xcel profits after job cuts, but Texas wildfire costs could be 'adverse'
The Minneapolis-based utility says it wasn't negligent in maintaining a wooden utility pole that was a source of the Smokehouse Creek Fire, but if it's found liable, costs could exceed $500 million in insurance coverage.
Xcel's proposed automatic bill credit could save low-income households in Minnesota $450 a year
The company would enroll people in certain census areas based on income metrics and energy bills to help make energy costs just 4% of the household's income.
How to solar power your home to lower your carbon footprint
There are more options for boosting solar power at home than you might think, including installing rooftop solar, subscribing to a community garden or simply paying extra to your utility.
Xcel drops rate fight, which will keep Minnesota utility bills cheaper
It also abruptly ended a long-running and unusually bitter split between the company and Public Utilities Commission about the "return on equity" rate.
Minnesota House drops 'franchise fees' on internet providers that would have hiked bills
Supporters said the policy would improve broadband access and help fund government access programming, but telecom groups lobbied against the plan.
Cause of Xcel's Prairie Island nuclear outage: Workers drilled through cables
Xcel Energy initially pinpointed the cause of a lengthy outage at its Prairie Island nuclear power plant as an equipment issue.
Xcel, UND say Midwest hydrogen 'hub' at risk from tax credit rules
A $1 billion federal grant could be in limbo in part because of limits on when companies can receive a hydrogen production tax credit for using nuclear and wind to create hydrogen.
Legislators scramble to create tax, environmental plan for Minnesota's first helium operation
State and local officials fear Canadian-based Pulsar could move ahead with its northeastern Minnesota project and use gas from under state land without paying royalties.
Minnesota EV sales rose last year, widespread adoption still far off
While electric vehicles will be a talking point at the Twin Cities Auto Show, the segment has a long way to go.
Some Minnesota cities want to impose fees on internet providers; customers could pay the price
Those fees would go toward improving rural broadband connectivity, increasing access to government media and offering consumer protections.
Minnesota utilities hope surge of big-scale batteries helps transition to clean energy
A state study released this month says the batteries are a necessary piece of plans to be carbon-free by 2040.
Minnesota appeals court dismisses Mesabi lawsuit over Nashwauk mineral leases
The DNR revoked leases from Mesabi Metallics in 2021 after the company missed its latest deadline in pursuing a long-delayed taconite mine and partly built processing plant.
A new plan for Midwest power lines could cost $23 billion. Is it enough?
Some experts have called a colossal new proposal for more than a dozen power lines in the region sparse.
Xcel's Prairie Island nuclear plant returns after lengthy outage drew questions
State officials had asked the energy company to provide a detailed explanation for when the power plant could be running again.
Lab results show significant helium levels at drill site that would be Minnesota's first
One firm advising the Canadian company Pulsar Helium said it was the highest concentration of the gas it had ever seen.
Minnesota GOP bill would prevent municipalities from banning gas stoves, heating
There don't appear to be any local bans in the works, but the idea to prevent regulations has drawn support from home industry and was heard by a DFL-led committee on Wednesday.
Can geothermal heat a south Minneapolis community hub?
Center leaders want to replace their 'Thelma & Louise' gas boilers with a geothermal system that would cost a total of $21 million as part of the idea of making it a "resilience hub."
Utility regulators approve Great River plan that aims for 90% carbon-free power by 2035
The Maple Grove-based cooperative has a deal to reduce coal power it buys from a North Dakota plant and wants to add wind, solar and battery power. The Sierra Club opposed the plan.
Xcel admits its equipment helped spark historic Texas wildfire
The Smokehouse Creek fire has burned more than 1 million acres across the Texas Panhandle.
Xcel says big reason it needs to spend millions on new projects is regional grid's reliability risks
Minnesota needs to be ready with its own electricity sources, especially as severe weather hits more often.
Twin Cities office janitors kick off strike with pickets
"Week of action" planned as janitors, nursing home staff, teachers and others converge.
