Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/tag/energy/page/12/)
More Minnesotans are using solar energy in their homes and businesses thanks to financial incentives available from state and federal government programs and non-profits organizations.
On November 1st, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted 5-0 to have Minnesota’s largest utility, Xcel Energy, submit a plan by July of 2013 that examines alternatives to continued operations at the Sherco 1 and 2 coal-fired power plant units. The plan will compare the cost of upgrading the units (two of the three largest coal units in the state) with modern pollution controls versus retiring the units in favor of other electricity generation like wind, solar, and natural gas, and demand reduction through efficiency, conservation and other efforts.
There was another “notification of an unusual event” at Prairie Island on Wednesday, Oct. 31. This time they said it was the failure of some security equipment.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission ordered Xcel Energy on Thursday to submit a coal replacement study for Minnesota’s largest coal-burning power plant, Sherburne County Generating Station.
University of Minnesota students spoke out against Xcel Energy’s proposed integrated resource plan at a hearing Thursday by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.
News shown out over the highway in big glowing numbers – 3.289, a number lower than anyone had seen in a while. That was the price per gallon of gasoline the last time the little purple car was filled up and piloted back down the highway. A few months earlier it was 3.929 at the same station, about 20% higher or $7.68 over a tankful. How can that possibly be? Continue Reading
Over the past 10 years the number of people living off the grid has increased by 10% every year in the USA. We are now living in what many experts are calling the third wave of survivalism. Continue Reading
From the health insurance giant Health Partners to rural farming communities to the corner grocery store, member-driven cooperative businesses thrive in Minnesota. Continue Reading
Minnesota’s power plants have not had a great year. Continue Reading
While candidates spar over taxes and private investment in response to sluggish job growth, one of Minnesota’s economic success stories may be coming to an untimely end. Free Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. The opinions expressed in the Free Speech Zone and Neighborhood Notes, as well as the opinions of bloggers, are their own and not necessarily the opinion of the TC Daily Planet.The production tax credit, a wind-energy incentive that has garnered bipartisan support for years, is up for renewal, and election year rancor and campaign distractions suggest it may be allowed to expire in December. This could be devastating for Minnesota and the wind industry overall. With the encouragement of the PTC and the enthusiasm of private investors willing to take a reduced risk on a young but endlessly renewable energy source, the cost of wind has dropped 90% since 1980 and wind now provides 3% of our national energy supply. Continue Reading