Minnesota
Minnesota governor signs new law to reform state's energy permitting process: 'We knocked off 18 months or more from the construction timeline'
In a move to energize Minnesota’s clean energy future, Gov. Tim Walz has cut the red tape to let renewable projects get through faster.
According to KTTC, Walz signed a new law aimed at streamlining the state’s energy permitting process, reducing bureaucratic delays to increase the speed of development of renewable energy infrastructure.
The legislation aims to modernize the energy permitting system without compromising environmental or safety standards. The new law is expected to significantly cut red tape for businesses initiating clean energy projects, potentially shortening the construction timeline by 18 months or more.
“Ten years is too long to be able to build our infrastructure. With the bill that we passed this year, we knocked off 18 months or more from the construction timeline, which is a really big deal,” House Majority Leader Rep. Jamie Long said.
This legislative move is part of Minnesota’s broader strategy to achieve 100% clean energy by 2040. With faster project initiation, the state anticipates numerous benefits, including job creation, enhanced energy independence, and a reduction in pollution.
Minnesota is already a leader in renewable energy, generating 6 gigawatts of solar, wind, and storage capacity. That makes it the 10th-largest generator of renewable electricity in the U.S, according to KTTC.
The American Clean Power Association says wind, solar, and energy storage projects in Minnesota have received $13 billion in capital investments as of early 2024, as reported by KTTC.
Gov. Walz also underscored the law’s environmental significance, particularly in light of recent extreme weather events that have impacted several Minnesota communities.
“This is a measure that will help protect our environment and get the clean energy projects that are going to help fight climate change in motion,” he said.
Meanwhile, individuals can take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act tax breaks and credits when looking to make eco-friendly upgrades to their home.
The governor’s proactive approach, coupled with robust investments in renewable infrastructure, positions Minnesota as a beacon of progress and innovation in the fight for a greener planet.
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A St. Cloud Tech ninth-grader won the Minnesota State High School League Clay Shooting championship on Friday.
Allie Lauer won the title with a score of 99 and reverse run of 83, while second-place finisher Isabella Blaz (Rosemount) also scored a 99 but a reverse run of 54. LeRoy-Ostrander’s Kimberly Volkart finished in third place with a score of 98.
MSHSL:
“I was nervous coming in because the other girls are older,” Lauer said. “It was nice weather today and things worked out well. Your average (score) doesn’t really matter. Just keep a good mindset and don’t focus on the scores.”
BOYS CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIP
Proctor sophomore Lane Graves took home the championship after a grueling three-way, two-round shoot-off against Rushford-Peterson’s Colton Ronnenberg (second place) and Prior Lake’s Jack Benedict.
After Benedict was eliminated in the first shoot-off, Graves outlasted Ronnenberg with a 9-7 win in round two.
TEAM CLAY SHOOTING CHAMPIONSHIP
The Bemidji Lumberjacks took the team title with a total score of 487, one ahead of Lakeville South and five better than both Stewartville and Spring Grove.
St. Cloud’s Stanley Cup Champion Nate Schmidt [GALLERY]
Former St. Cloud Cathedral and University of Minnesota standout Nate Schmidt will bring the Stanley Cup to St. Cloud on August 25th. Here’s a look at his career through photos.
REDWOOD FALLS
— The 64-year-old Redwood Falls man
killed in a rollover crash Saturday in Redwood County
was fleeing police in his vehicle at the time, according to information from the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office.
Francis Albert Rohlik was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash at approximately 7:22 p.m. on June 27. He was northbound on Redwood County Road 7 north of
Belview
when his vehicle left the roadway and rolled at the intersection with 400th Street in Kintire Township, according to
an accident report
by the
Minnesota State Patrol.
Rohlik was not wearing a seat belt, the State Patrol reported. According to the Redwood County Sheriff’s Office, he was ejected from the vehicle during the crash.
Shortly before the crash, at approximately 7:19 p.m. Saturday, law enforcement officers attempted to stop his vehicle for traffic violations on County Road 7 near Belview. The driver accelerated away from deputies and a brief pursuit ensued. After approximately three miles, the vehicle lost control and rolled over near the intersection with 400th Street, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies immediately administered medical aid to the driver. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Rohlik was the only occupant in the vehicle.
Assisting agencies included the Minnesota State Patrol, the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff’s Office, Belview Fire Department, Belview First Responders, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, CentraCare Ambulance, and North Memorial AirCare. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash.
Minnesota
David Doty, Minnesota federal judge who oversaw NFL’s labor disputes for decades, dies at 96
A Minnesota federal judge noted for presiding over “several landmark disputes involving the National Football League” has died at 96, the U.S. District Court announced Monday.
David Doty died Saturday, just three days before his 97th birthday, the court said.
“Judge Doty devoted his entire professional life to serving others — as a Marine, as a lawyer who served not only clients but his community in many ways, and as a U.S. District Judge for nearly four decades,” Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz said. “Despite his remarkable accomplishments, he was a genuinely humble man. He treated everyone — from the guy who shined his shoes to Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court — the same way: with kindness and compassion and a sincere interest in their lives.”
Former President Ronald Reagan appointed Doty to Minnesota’s district court in 1987, and the court said he “continued to maintain a significant caseload until just a few months before his death.”
Doty grew up in Minneapolis and earned his law degree from the University of Minnesota. Before becoming a judge, he practiced law for more than a quarter-century. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for six years.
Doty’s ruling in an antitrust case involving the NFL in the early ’90s led to the creation of the free agency system the league still uses. He oversaw decades of NFL labor matters, including a 2011 case that preceded a brief lockout. So influential was Doty in NFL labor matters that owners tried to get him removed from cases on multiple occasions, according to the Associated Press.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a statement from the league on Doty’s death: “Judge Doty devoted his life to public service and the law, presiding over NFL-related litigation for many years during his distinguished career. We express our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
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