More from the HomepageThe only guidance from the federal government has been that meat processors should "consider" tests. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump that meat processors should remain open, thousands of U.S. meatpacking workers are still not being tested for the coronavirus.Pork, beef and poultry laborers have been asked to return to fast-moving, shoulder-to-shoulder meat-cutting lines with no clear idea of who does or does not carry the virus. Across the country, meat factories have been the scenes of the largest outbreaks in the...…More from the HomepageThe only guidance from the federal government has been that meat processors should "consider" tests. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Nearly two weeks after President Donald Trump that meat processors should remain open, thousands of U.S. meatpacking workers are still not being tested for the coronavirus.Pork, beef and poultry laborers have been asked to return to fast-moving, shoulder-to-shoulder meat-cutting lines with no clear idea of who does or does not carry the virus. Across the country, meat factories have been the scenes of the largest outbreaks in the...WW…

ByMinnesotans will pay up to $400 more for their February heating bills because of the spike in U.S. gas prices after a historic cold wave hit the South.That was the word Tuesday from the state's largest gas utilities at a special meeting called by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to examine the surge in gas prices. The PUC voted to start a formal investigation."We have many questions and few concrete answers," said Katie Sieben, the PUC's chairwoman.The big gas charge incurred in February won't start showing up on consumers' bills until September. The cost would normally be...…ByMinnesotans will pay up to $400 more for their February heating bills because of the spike in U.S. gas prices after a historic cold wave hit the South.That was the word Tuesday from the state's largest gas utilities at a special meeting called by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to examine the surge in gas prices. The PUC voted to start a formal investigation."We have many questions and few concrete answers," said Katie Sieben, the PUC's chairwoman.The big gas charge incurred in February won't start showing up on consumers' bills until September. The cost would normally be...WW…

ByEnbridge has fallen considerably short of goals to hire Minnesota workers for its controversial new 340-mile oil pipeline across the northern part of the state.The Calgary, Alberta-based company and union representatives have said they had expected at least 50% of its construction workforce to be from Minnesota.But at the end of December — the first full month of construction — just 33% of the 4,664 workers building the replacement for Enbridge's current Line 3 were Minnesota residents, according to a recent filing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.When broken down by hours...…ByEnbridge has fallen considerably short of goals to hire Minnesota workers for its controversial new 340-mile oil pipeline across the northern part of the state.The Calgary, Alberta-based company and union representatives have said they had expected at least 50% of its construction workforce to be from Minnesota.But at the end of December — the first full month of construction — just 33% of the 4,664 workers building the replacement for Enbridge's current Line 3 were Minnesota residents, according to a recent filing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.When broken down by hours...WW…

More from the HomepageMasks ordered, but getting them is another story. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:With a second wave of COVID-19 cases expected to hit Minnesota hospitals in coming weeks, the state has millions of medical-grade N95 respirator masks on order for health care workers treating coronavirus patients.So far about 337,000 of these critical masks have been delivered to the state stockpile since March, while orders for more than 5 million more are still . A review of the state’s purchasing shows those masks will arrive in batches over the next year and a half. Some may...…More from the HomepageMasks ordered, but getting them is another story. ByandStar TribunemoreCopy shortlink:With a second wave of COVID-19 cases expected to hit Minnesota hospitals in coming weeks, the state has millions of medical-grade N95 respirator masks on order for health care workers treating coronavirus patients.So far about 337,000 of these critical masks have been delivered to the state stockpile since March, while orders for more than 5 million more are still . A review of the state’s purchasing shows those masks will arrive in batches over the next year and a half. Some may...WW…

More from the HomepageThe project, the first large-scale wind and solar plant in the state, would impair the 'viewshed' of the historic site. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The Big Bend project planned for southern Minnesota would be one of the state's biggest wind farms, and paired with a large solar plant, would be different from any other power project in the state.But Big Bend's proximity to the Jeffers Petroglyphs site — sacred to Indigenous people — has alarmed the state's historic preservation office and the Lower Sioux Indian Community."I just want to emphasize that to the...…More from the HomepageThe project, the first large-scale wind and solar plant in the state, would impair the 'viewshed' of the historic site. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The Big Bend project planned for southern Minnesota would be one of the state's biggest wind farms, and paired with a large solar plant, would be different from any other power project in the state.But Big Bend's proximity to the Jeffers Petroglyphs site — sacred to Indigenous people — has alarmed the state's historic preservation office and the Lower Sioux Indian Community."I just want to emphasize that to the...WW…

More from the HomepageAll Energy Solar filed complaints over delays connecting smaller projects to the electricity grid. By Star TribunemoreMinnesota utility regulators Thursday slapped Xcel Energy with a rare $1 million fine for a bevy of complaints over delays in connecting solar projects to the electricity grid.Almost all of the roughly 120 complaints were filed by St. Paul-based All Energy Solar in 2019. A solar trade group said All Energy's grievances reflect longstanding and costly interconnection problems with Xcel for the entire industry.Minneapolis-based Xcel, the state's...…More from the HomepageAll Energy Solar filed complaints over delays connecting smaller projects to the electricity grid. By Star TribunemoreMinnesota utility regulators Thursday slapped Xcel Energy with a rare $1 million fine for a bevy of complaints over delays in connecting solar projects to the electricity grid.Almost all of the roughly 120 complaints were filed by St. Paul-based All Energy Solar in 2019. A solar trade group said All Energy's grievances reflect longstanding and costly interconnection problems with Xcel for the entire industry.Minneapolis-based Xcel, the state's...WW…

More from the HomepageMinnesota's largest holder of precious-metal mining leases terminated them, turning to a promising venture in Nevada. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The notion of a gold rush in northern Minnesota has taken a big hit with the exit of one of the world’s largest gold mining companies.AngloGold Ashanti had scooped up 271 state precious-metal mining leases in recent years, encompassing 105,900 acres. But the company terminated them at the end of last year, quietly ending a significant exploration project here to focus on a more promising venture in Nevada.“It’s...…More from the HomepageMinnesota's largest holder of precious-metal mining leases terminated them, turning to a promising venture in Nevada. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:The notion of a gold rush in northern Minnesota has taken a big hit with the exit of one of the world’s largest gold mining companies.AngloGold Ashanti had scooped up 271 state precious-metal mining leases in recent years, encompassing 105,900 acres. But the company terminated them at the end of last year, quietly ending a significant exploration project here to focus on a more promising venture in Nevada.“It’s...WW…

More from the HomepageTelephone and internet firm will upgrade service to settle deceptive market practices case. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Frontier Communications will pay restitution of $750,000 and spend $10 million to upgrade its broadband network to settle an investigation by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office over customer-service problems.Frontier has been under fire from Minnesota consumer and telecommunications watchdogs for the past couple of years after a deluge of complaints about its phone and internet service.The Attorney General’s Office was investigating...…More from the HomepageTelephone and internet firm will upgrade service to settle deceptive market practices case. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Frontier Communications will pay restitution of $750,000 and spend $10 million to upgrade its broadband network to settle an investigation by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office over customer-service problems.Frontier has been under fire from Minnesota consumer and telecommunications watchdogs for the past couple of years after a deluge of complaints about its phone and internet service.The Attorney General’s Office was investigating...WW…

More from the HomepageAG Keith Ellison alleges consumer fraud, deceptive practices and false advertising. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday sued ExxonMobil Corp., Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institute, saying they have long deceived consumers over the effects of climate change.The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, includes claims of multiple violations of Minnesota laws, including fraud, deceptive trade practices and false statements in advertising.“The defendants deceived, lied and misrepresented the...…More from the HomepageAG Keith Ellison alleges consumer fraud, deceptive practices and false advertising. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday sued ExxonMobil Corp., Koch Industries and the American Petroleum Institute, saying they have long deceived consumers over the effects of climate change.The lawsuit, filed in Ramsey County District Court, includes claims of multiple violations of Minnesota laws, including fraud, deceptive trade practices and false statements in advertising.“The defendants deceived, lied and misrepresented the...WW…

More from the HomepageCoal Creek Station in North Dakota is one of the largest coal electricity plants in the Upper Midwest. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Great River Energy will shutter its big North Dakota coal-fired power plant several years early, an extraordinary move that underscores the waning cost-competitiveness of coal in electricity production.The Maple Grove-based company Thursday announced the closure of Coal Creek Station — one of the Upper Midwest’s largest power plants — in the second half of 2022. It will be replaced to a great extent with new wind farms, including...…More from the HomepageCoal Creek Station in North Dakota is one of the largest coal electricity plants in the Upper Midwest. By Star TribunemoreCopy shortlink:Great River Energy will shutter its big North Dakota coal-fired power plant several years early, an extraordinary move that underscores the waning cost-competitiveness of coal in electricity production.The Maple Grove-based company Thursday announced the closure of Coal Creek Station — one of the Upper Midwest’s largest power plants — in the second half of 2022. It will be replaced to a great extent with new wind farms, including...WW…