Minnesota

Sustainable Airline Fuel production inching closer to reality in Minnesota

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

Sustainable Airline Fuel production inching closer to reality in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — A breakthrough in the fight against climate change is happening in Minnesota.

Last year, Xcel Energy Executive Vice President Brett Carter told WCCO that transportation is the “largest carbon-emitting industry in the country.”

Carter — along with leaders from the airline, science and banking industries — made a goal of operating the first large-scale sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) chain in the United States.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was picked as a SAF Hub due to Minnesota’s “combination of air demand, existing biofuels infrastructure, a strong agricultural economy and strong research assets,” according to Greater MSP CEO Peter Frosch.

SAF is a safe and certified alternative jet fuel that can reduce lifestyle carbon emissions by 80%.

According to Virgin Atlantic, SAF is made from a combination of used cooking oil, non-food crops, solid waste and industrial waste gases. No retrofitting is needed for the fuel to be used in airplanes, and it can travel through existing pipelines.

When the Minnesota SAF Hub was created, partners made a goal for commercial aviation to reach net zero by 2050. Delta Airlines said last year it wanted 10% of its fuel at MSP Airport to be SAF by 2027, and half by 2035.

That’s a feat that doesn’t happen overnight, but leaders on Tuesday were eager to announce several milestones toward making that dream a reality.

One of the highlights includes plans to develop the state’s first SAF blending facility at a refinery in Rosemount that will blend up to 30 million gallons.

Another milestone is the establishment of SAF production with a grant that will convert an existing ethanol fuel facilty to an integrated alcohol-to-jet-fuel facility in Luverne.

The hub is also working to make SAF cost-competitive with pledges from prominent companies like Delta and Bank of America to purchase it. And leaders are working with the University of Minnesota to eventually make it out of next-generation feedstocks.

“Together I think that we’re creating a one-of-a-kind model here in Minnesota. A lot of people around the world are talking about SAF, not too many are doing it,” said Christophe Beck, Ecolab’s chairman and CEO. “Once again, here in Minnesota, we’re making it happen and we’re changing the world for the better.”

With the industry just starting out, there isn’t enough SAF being produced right now to fuel the world’s airline for a single week.

Beret Leone

Beret Leone is a native Minnesotan who joined the WCCO team as a reporter in September 2022 – and she’s thrilled be back home in the Twin Cities! Beret grew up in Chaska and graduated from Bethel University.

Source link

Click to comment

Minnesota

Push to make bald eagle national bird took flight in Minnesota

Published

6 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

Push to make bald eagle national bird took flight in Minnesota

Bald Eagle could soon be national bird

The Bald Eagle is a symbol of American freedom, strength and perseverance, but did you know it was never designated the official national bird? FOX 9’s Maury Glover explains how that could soon change.

(FOX 9) – The bald eagle is poised to be officially recognized as the United States’ national bird as a bipartisan bill is on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.

History of bald eagle as symbol of United States

The backstory: Back in 1782, Congress put the bald eagle on the national seal and since then, it has been used on everything from passports to currency. But it was never officially designated the national bird, a fact many people assumed it already was.

“Assuming something doesn’t necessarily make it so. So, this is just kind of that official overdue recognition that this is our national symbol. Let’s make it our national bird,” said Ed Hahn, the National Eagle Center director of advancement and marketing communications.

The National Eagle Center in Wabasha is home to four bald eagle ambassadors who help teach visitors about the environment and conservation. But soon the formerly endangered species could be soaring to new heights.

“It’s a very cool development and surprising to most people,” said Hahn.

Push to name bald eagle as national bird

What we know: Preston Cook, whose 40,000 piece collection of eagle memorabilia is housed at the eagle center, discovered the oversight while he was writing a book about the birds.

Cook urged Minnesota lawmakers in Washington D.C. to introduce legislation naming the bald eagle the national bird, which passed the U.S. Senate back in July and the U.S. House on Monday. The bill is now headed to President Biden’s desk to make the designation official.

“Here we are a country that doesn’t have a national bird. Now, every state, all 50 states have a state bird, but we don’t have a national bird. So it is time I felt that this should be done,” said Cook.

Dig deeper: The bald eagle bounced back from near extinction in the late 60s and 70s and the eagle center hopes giving the country’s most prominent bird a new title will help the species continue to spread its wings for years to come.

“I think any time that we’re able to elevate something like the bald eagle in high into the public eye, it raises awareness and appreciation for our natural resources, for the environment, for conservation, which are all important,” said Hahn.

The bald eagle will join the rose as the national flower, the oak as the national tree and the bison as the national mammal.

What we don’t know: While the bill has been sent to President Biden’s desk, it’s unknown when he may sign the bill into law.

Wild NaturePets and AnimalsMinnesotaPolitics

Source link

Minnesota

New York takes road win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Published

14 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Press Room

New York takes road win streak into matchup with Minnesota

Associated Press

New York Knicks (16-10, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (14-11, seventh in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Thursday, 9:30 p.m. EST

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Timberwolves -2; over/under is 213.5

BOTTOM LINE: New York hits the road against Minnesota trying to prolong its three-game road winning streak.

The Timberwolves are 8-4 in home games. Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference with 33.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Rudy Gobert averaging 7.6.

The Knicks have gone 8-6 away from home. New York ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 27.7 assists per game led by Jalen Brunson averaging 7.7.

The Timberwolves are shooting 45.9% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.2% the Knicks allow to opponents. The Knicks average 14.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.6 more made shots on average than the 11.6 per game the Timberwolves allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Anthony Edwards is averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Timberwolves.

Karl-Anthony Towns is scoring 24.8 points per game with 13.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the Knicks.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 6-4, averaging 104.6 points, 46.2 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 9.4 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 44.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 97.4 points per game.

Knicks: 7-3, averaging 114.6 points, 42.7 rebounds, 28.0 assists, 7.8 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 49.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Joe Ingles: day to day (soleus).

Knicks: Ariel Hukporti: day to day (ankle), Mitchell Robinson: out (ankle).

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Source link