Articles

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Should state help Minnesota counties study frac sand mining?

A state senator and a group of citizen petitioners are now calling on Minnesota officials to play a bigger role in helping assess the effect of frac sand mining on the environment, infrastructure and public health.

13 August 2012
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Experts: Chicago aggregation could hurt renewable energy -- unless the RPS is fixed

If Chicago chooses "aggregation" in buying its electric power come November, it is crucial the Illinois Renewable Portfolio Standard be fixed, experts say. Otherwise, aggregation could actually hurt the development of in-state renewable energy.

By Kari Lydersen . 10 August 2012
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Minnesota considers two more coal plant retirements

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission today will consider the fate of two power plants in the state's scenic northeast corner — and whether it has enough information to make a decision.

9 August 2012
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Midwest Energy News hires third reporter

Midwest Energy News is excited to announce the addition of Dan Ferber to our reporting team.

By Ken Paulman . 9 August 2012
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Minnesota coal plant couldn't compete with wind, natural gas

The Rochester Public Utilities board voted Tuesday to phase out the Silver Lake power plant by 2015, further evidence that cheap natural gas and wind power are putting the squeeze on smaller, less-economical coal plants.

8 August 2012
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Big and tall: Wind farm to have Minnesota's tallest turbines

A construction crew in southwestern Minnesota next month will begin erecting 15 wind turbines atop 100-meter towers, making it the tallest wind farm in the state.

7 August 2012
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Rochester, Minnesota utility may vote to close coal plant today

The Rochester Public Utilities board is expected to vote today on the future of the city's 100-megawatt Silver Lake Power Plant.

7 August 2012
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Ameren wants more time to clean up Illinois emissions

Citing market forces, Ameren is requesting more time to make required sulfur dioxide emissions reductions at its coal plants under Illinois law. Critics say it is breaking a promise to lower sulfur dioxide by 2015 in exchange for more flexibility on mercury reductions.

By Kari Lydersen . 6 August 2012
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Will E15 ethanol blend really save drivers money?

Ethanol backers say higher ethanol blends will save motorists money at the pump. But because of ethanol's lower energy content, those savings aren't guaranteed, and depend on a number of variables.

By Ken Paulman . 3 August 2012
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For Michigan mining opponents, power lines a key issue

As a case near the Upper Peninsula town of Big Bay shows, permitting and building new power lines is not a simple process even for powerful mining companies, and residents who oppose new mining see these lines as a pressure point to try to slow down or block mine development.

By Kari Lydersen . 2 August 2012