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
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
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
A massive development is proposed for a northeastern Minnesota city. Local officials aren’t saying what it is.
The industrial project proposed for Hermantown carries some hallmarks of a data center.
May 21, 2025
A Minnesota tribe built solar for its casino. Now its electric supplier vows to cut off power.
The unusual conflict has pitted assertions of tribal sovereignty against claims that the solar array flouts state utility laws.
May 16, 2025
Clean-energy developer suspends wind project in Minnesota, cites tariffs as a factor
Delays and costs played a larger role, but Trump’s trade war exacerbated the situation, a company representative said.
May 14, 2025
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What Google wants from the Minnesota Legislature
The company is lobbying on tax breaks and regulations on data centers, but won’t say if it has any plans to build one here.
May 12, 2025
Trump administration says it will release money to help 10,000 Minnesota homes with heat and electric bills
Minnesota officials feared the $12 million was at risk after the entire staff of the program that distributes the cash was terminated.
May 1, 2025
Walz casts doubt on environmental safety of mining near Boundary Waters
The governor said technology to prevent pollution from copper-nickel mining isn’t ready.
April 26, 2025
Latest twist in Minnesota data center debate: How much water they will consume
Estimates for water use aren’t nearly as high as the electricity needed for the data centers planned in Minnesota
April 11, 2025
Minnesota says money to help 10,000 homes with heat and electric bills at risk after Trump fires entire program staff
The state believes it will run out of money to help new applicants in mid-April.
April 3, 2025
DFL-backed bill takes a harder line on Minnesota’s data center boom
Data center backers and critics squared off Tuesday at the Legislature over water and energy use, tax credit.
April 1, 2025
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