Walker Orenstein
Reporter
Energy, natural resources and sustainabilityWalker Orenstein covers energy, natural resources and sustainability for the Star Tribune. Orenstein previously covered state government and politics with a focus on greater Minnesota and environmental issues for MinnPost, and he reported on the Legislature in Washington state for The News Tribune of Tacoma. He was raised in St. Paul and attended the University of Washington in Seattle. In his spare time, Orenstein enjoys playing hockey, hiking and camping..
Latest from Walker Orenstein
Decrying ‘false narrative,’ ICE leaders aim to shift perspective of immigration crackdown in Minneapolis
The Trump administration says its actions are justified as a new polling finds most Americans say ICE tactics have gone too far.
January 23, 2026
Vance blames ‘failure of cooperation’ for chaos in Minneapolis
The vice president met privately with ICE agents and business leaders before telling reporters he hoped to “take down the temperature a little bit.”
January 22, 2026
Former broadcaster Michele Tafoya launches Senate bid in Minnesota
She is running as a Republican and looks to win the seat held by Democrat Tina Smith, who is not seeking re-election.
January 21, 2026
Republicans want Minnesota to cooperate with ICE. What would that look like?
Rules vary by county and city, and the governor cannot always unilaterally change how law enforcement works with ICE.
January 21, 2026
What happened in other ICE shootings during Trump’s immigration enforcement?
Nearly every case had common factors with the Minneapolis shooting: officers shot or fired at, people in a vehicle.
January 8, 2026
Gov. Tim Walz is out of the governor’s race. Is that good news for Republicans?
The Minnesota GOP hasn’t won a governor’s race for two decades. Walz was starting to look vulnerable, then he dropped out. Now the party is reconsidering its playbook.
January 6, 2026
The rapid rise and fall of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz
Walz’s exit from the governor’s race — and possibly from politics entirely — marked a stunning reversal of fortune and came as he faced unrelenting attacks.
January 6, 2026
Xcel Energy gas rates will go up 6.8% for 2026. Here’s why.
Minnesota utility regulators approved temporarily higher rates but said they are sensitive to higher energy bills.
December 29, 2025
Northern Minnesota utility drops plan to use energy from controversial Wisconsin gas plant
Minnesota Power said the Nemadji Trail Energy Center in Superior, Wis., has been delayed too long by litigation and permitting.
December 19, 2025
Editor's Pick
NDAs, code names and shell companies: How Minnesota officials support data center secrecy
Governments are signing non-disclosure agreements and concealing basic information about potential data centers.
December 18, 2025
Editor's Pick
In farm country, a plan for a $4B data center takes root with vast wind, solar and battery projects
The plan reflects breathtaking change in the energy sector, but it’s a long way from fruition.
November 26, 2025
As huge data centers spread across country, developers are halting projects in Minnesota
An Excelsior company just froze two data center proposals in Hampton and North Mankato. Amazon abandoned its plans for a Becker data center. Those pushing the projects cite the state’s lengthy permitting process.
November 15, 2025
