By Rick Fuentes, senior media relations specialist, Fresh Energy

I’ve always liked roller coasters. Especially the ones with big drops or loop-d-loops. (more…)

Blogger Maria Surma Manka (Maria Energia to her readers) was invited by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) to cover their WINDPOWER 2008 conference in Houston during the first week of June.

By Carin Skoog, global warming solutions coordinator, Fresh Energy

Despite attempts by opposition to stall meaningful discussion of America’s Climate Security Act (S. 3036) sponsored by Senators Warner (R-VA), Lieberman (I-CT), and Boxer (D-CA), the U.S. Senate is making history this week with the first bipartisan climate bill to receive serious attention by Congress. (more…)

By Daryl Sager, energy justice program associate, Fresh Energy

With the installation of its first solar panel on May 22, the Little Earth of United Tribes housing complex in Minneapolis marked the beginning of its new renewable energy future. (more…)

This is a good news, bad news story. It’s good that demand for wind energy is booming in the region. It’s good that there is a benefit to the port. It’s also not as good that Minnesota is not manufacturing all or many of these components. And the more oceangoing vessels dock in Duluth-Superior, the greater the risk of invasive species introductions. But Congressman Jim Oberstar has, at least, guided ballast water control legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives.

By Elena Velkov, media relations coordinator, Fresh Energy

The Associated Press today highlighted another coal plant that has screeched to a halt. Westmoreland Coal Co. has suspended the development of its proposed 500-megawatt Gascoyne power plant project in North Dakota, citing uncertainty about federal carbon regulation. Westmoreland Power Inc. will now return more than $560,000 in state subsidies. (more…)

By J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director, Fresh Energy

On May 9, 2008, two administrative law judges recommended that Minnesota regulators deny permission to construct and operate power lines across west-central Minnesota from the proposed Big Stone II coal plant on the South Dakota-Minnesota border. (more…)

By Michael Noble, executive director, Fresh Energy

Randy Udall is a legend among clean energy advocates, some say a legend in his own mind. (more…)

Legislators protest Gates family’s stake in Big Stone II

Check out this posting on Grist by Ted Nace from May 4, 2008.

By Carin Skoog, global warming solutions coordinator, Fresh Energy

This week every year, we take the time to stop and think about the impact we humans have on our planet. Many of us carve out time from our busy schedules to participate in various Earth Week events such as beach clean-ups or recycling days. Even the national media has picked up the drumbeat over the past few years, highlighting green business initiatives and promoting green marketing around Earth Day. This is the week when Americans feel inspired and empowered to leave the world a better place than we inherited—but do we really understand the consequences of our energy choices and how much it matters? (more…)