Walker Orenstein
Reporter
Energy, natural resources and sustainabilityWalker Orenstein covers energy, natural resources and sustainability for the Star Tribune. Orenstein previously covered state government and politics with a focus on greater Minnesota and environmental issues for MinnPost, and he reported on the Legislature in Washington state for The News Tribune of Tacoma. He was raised in St. Paul and attended the University of Washington in Seattle. In his spare time, Orenstein enjoys playing hockey, hiking and camping..
Latest from Walker Orenstein
Clean energy developer suspends wind project in Minnesota, cites tariffs as a factor
Delays and costs played a larger role, but Trump’s trade war exacerbated the situation, a company rep said.
May 14, 2025
What Google wants from the Minnesota Legislature
The company is lobbying on tax breaks and regulations on data centers, but won’t say if it has any plans to build one here.
May 12, 2025
Trump administration says it will release money to help 10,000 Minnesota homes with heat and electric bills
Minnesota officials feared the $12 million was at risk after the entire staff of the program that distributes the cash was terminated.
May 1, 2025
Walz casts doubt on environmental safety of mining near Boundary Waters
The governor said technology to prevent pollution from copper-nickel mining isn’t ready.
April 26, 2025
Latest twist in Minnesota data center debate: How much water they will consume
Estimates for water use aren’t nearly as high as the electricity needed for the data centers planned in Minnesota
April 11, 2025
Minnesota says money to help 10,000 homes with heat and electric bills at risk after Trump fires entire program staff
The state believes it will run out of money to help new applicants in mid-April.
April 3, 2025
DFL-backed bill takes a harder line on Minnesota’s data center boom
Data center backers and critics squared off Tuesday at the Legislature over water and energy use, tax credit.
April 1, 2025
Xcel will issue $48 million Minnesota refund for 2011 coal plant disaster
The refund, which will average $12 for a typical household, comes after Xcel was found partially at fault.
March 27, 2025
Latest twist in Minnesota data center debate: How much water they will consume
Estimates for water use aren’t nearly as high as the electricity needed for the data centers planned in Minnesota
April 11, 2025
Minnesota says money to help 10,000 homes with heat and electric bills at risk after Trump fires entire program staff
The state believes it will run out of money to help new applicants in mid-April.
April 3, 2025
DFL-backed bill takes a harder line on Minnesota’s data center boom
Data center backers and critics squared off Tuesday at the Legislature over water and energy use, tax credit.
April 1, 2025
Xcel will issue $48 million Minnesota refund for 2011 coal plant disaster
The refund, which will average $12 for a typical household, comes after Xcel was found partially at fault.
March 27, 2025