By Erin Stojan Ruccolo, senior policy associate, Fresh Energy

Great Lakes states are predominantly served by coal generation, the impacts of which are well-documented. Mercury advisories are in place across much of the Great Lakes, and global warming may cause other serious problems, including increasing water temperature in the lakes and decreasing water levels, impacting wildlife, fisheries, water quality and the associate tourism and shipping activities that rely on these attributes.

Wind generation on the Great Lakes could be part of the solution. Indeed, the Great Lakes is estimated to have 250 gigawatts (GW) of wind potential, enough to power 75 million homes. About 160 GW of that power is located in areas 30 meters in depth or less, where current technologies could most easily be implemented. (more…)

You’ve heard all about it — energy efficiency, recycled materials, stormwater reuse, and more — but have you been inside it?  Marty Broan put together a slideshow after attending Wednesday’s game, featuring Target Field’s green elementss, and Liz Hunt took photos and did commentary after attending Opening Day.

John Tuma’s Capitol Update – February 19, 2010

“There is Governor Ames himself.” 

These were the words whispered in a low husky voice from one of four horse riders wearing long white cattle dusters as they rode across the bridge into Northfield, Minnesota, on what would become a fateful day in September of 1876.  Unfortunately for the would-be bank robbers, the words were overheard by Adelbert Ames as he walked past the riders on well-bred horses as he was leaving town from a meeting at the First National Bank. 

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Conservation Minnesota’s northwest blogger, Kristin Eggerling, reports enthusiastically on a conference to help develop locally-based food systems.

The conference begins on Monday, February 15 at Southwest State University in Marshall with a local food and wine reception with music, short films and clips about community-based food systems.  On Tuesday the conference will be broadcast at a number of college campuses in the 7th congressional district, including the University of Minnesota-Crookston, the University of Minnesota-Morris, Bemidji State University and Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls and will feature a keynote speech by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack who will be attending in Marshall.

More here.

Cindy Gentz of Grand Marais offers an interesting point of view:

We all hear daily speculations about the state of the economy. Some pundits believe we are on the cusp of seeing a turn around in the housing market while others are very skeptical of any success in the near future.  People talk about the jobs lost, the homes lost, the disillusionment nation-wide.  A few young people put a positive spin on things by saying that houses are finally affordable again for those who have just graduated college.  However, I have heard no one on the radio or TV talk about the other big positive of the Great Recession: the Great Respite it has given the environment.

Last week, the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Council made tentative selections of over $56 million in fish, game and wildlife habitat restoration and conservation projects from Legacy Amendment funding. Darby Nelson, a member of the Council, reports on the process of sifting through applications and begins a series of reports, by region of the state, of what work would be funded if the recommendations are accepted by the Legislature next year.

Conservation Minnesota’s Liz Hunt provides tips and insight on reducing her (and your) environmental impact this holiday season. Among her thoughts:

* Replace regular Christmas tree lights with LEDs;
* Safely get rid of old light strings;
* Make your own gift boxes from used boxes.

There are a million ideas — what are yours?

The Conservation Minnesota Voter Center’s annual legislative scorecard is now available for the 2009 session. Seven legislators scored a perfect 100%. Issues included safe baby products, farm stewardship, clean and renewable energy and others. Click here.

Will Steger, Representative Paul Gardner, Mike Kilgore and Sheila Smith took home Conservation Leadership Awards from the Conservation Minnesota Voter Center Monday night. These four people have done much for our outdoors and environmental policy and funding.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency today issued a news release about its updated “What’s In My Neighborhood?” web application. It’s designed to make it easy for any Minnesotan to find out about nearby pollution permits, old dumps and other environmental information. It’s well-intended, but a check of my neighborhood revealed terminology that a layperson has a difficult time understanding (small to minimal hazardous waste QG). It’s a good try — but what do you think?