Some wanted tougher standards for water use and transparency, while others fear Minnesota is falling behind in competition for construction jobs.
More from Environment
DOGE cuts federal money for upgrades at Velveeta plant in New Ulm
Kraft Heinz, the Chicago- and Pittsburgh-based food company in charge of the Minnesota plant that also makes Cheez Whiz, lost a $170 million federal grant to improve energy efficiency at 10 plants nationwide.
June 6, 2025
MPCA intends to yank permit for St. Paul foundry accused of polluting the neighborhood
Northern Iron says it will fight the state’s decision.
June 4, 2025
Drainage work stalls at mine pit that could flood small Iron Range town
The Department of Natural Resources said it may have to change its plan to drain the Canisteo Mine Pit because a filter for zebra mussels may not work as designed.
June 4, 2025
How did the Twin Cities end up with some of the world’s worst air?
We answer questions about how you can protect yourself and when breathing will get easier.
June 3, 2025
Sen. Amy Klobuchar supports extending sustainable aviation fuel tax credit
A bipartisan bill in Congress seeks to extend a tax credit to encourage farmers to grow sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Environmentalists say the proposed change could make climate change worse.
June 2, 2025
Xcel lets loose a small army of hungry sheep to keep its solar farm in order
The sheep grazing is the latest — and biggest — example of a growing movement in Minnesota to improve habitat at solar farms and incorporate agriculture.
May 31, 2025
Police identify victim of homicide on St. Paul’s West Side
James Baker, 20, died Wednesday of a gunshot wound to the torso. No arrests have been made.
May 29, 2025
Do tornadoes avoid hitting downtowns? Some research says yes, but scientists urge caution.
While some studies found that twisters tend to avoid urban cores, dozens of major cities, including Minneapolis, have been pummeled in the past.
May 24, 2025
Before Gov. Walz tussled with Elon Musk, Tesla supercharged Minnesota’s EV market
As Democrats abandon Tesla in droves, EV experts don’t think Minnesota will lose climate progress in the political divorce.
May 23, 2025
Amazon suspends Minnesota data center as lawmakers plan to reduce Big Tech tax breaks
State utility regulators in February also ruled Amazon must prove it needs 250 backup diesel generators at the site, a decision the company sought to reverse at the Legislature.
May 23, 2025
Excerpt: Former Star Tribune writers’ poetic book views what’s happening to American prairie
Nonfiction: Decisions made there have an impact far beyond the prairie.
May 23, 2025
11 days in, northeast Minnesota wildfires inch closer to being contained
Many evacuation orders and road closures are lifted, but the challenging Jenkins Creek blaze is just one-third under control.
May 22, 2025
![Hundreds of trees stand after being charred by the Camp House wildfire in Brimson, Minn. on Thursday, May 15, 2025. ]
ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/REGDNXOI4BAUHMNSNQGSM3CQTQ.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)