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
Environment
Burning wood and trash might qualify as carbon free under 2040 climate law, Minnesota regulators find
The state Public Utilities Commission weighed in on a complex and controversial debate over what qualifies as carbon-free under Minnesota’s landmark law targeting a clean electric grid by 2040.
September 27, 2024
Environment
Minnesota regulators: Xcel must refund customers for Prairie Island outage caused by severed cables
Xcel wanted customers to pick up the tab for buying substitute power as the facility was fixed, despite acknowledging it drilled without using ground radar.
September 23, 2024
Environment
Minnesota wants carbon-free power by 2040. Xcel wants at least one new gas plant.
Xcel says the gas is needed for reliable power. Environmentalists and the attorney general say building new facilities is too expensive for customers and harms the climate.
September 21, 2024
Environment
Minnesota regulators narrowly approve gas pipeline near Pipestone Monument
On a 3-2 vote, the state Public Utilities Commission sided with Magellan Pipeline Co. over tribes who consider the area foundational to their religious beliefs.
September 13, 2024
Environment
Bid to reopen oil pipeline near Pipestone monument prompts tribal backlash
Out of service for two years, the pipeline would be routed around the monument. But Native Americans say it threatens a quarry that one local official calls “key to our spirituality.”
September 10, 2024
Environment
Wind power developer pledges to clear discarded turbine blades from Minnesota town
NextEra Energy told Minnesota utility regulators it would start moving the junk next month after two startup recycling contractors failed to do so for nearly four years.
September 5, 2024
Environment
Future of discarded wind turbine blades in Minnesota town gets cloudier after company disappears
With the future uncertain for the gigantic pile of wind junk, one man tried to cut through a blade with a stump grinder.
September 3, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Minnesota farm country debates what could be the state’s first carbon-capture pipeline
Pipeline safety and environmental benefits are in question as the Summit Carbon Solutions project — an $8.9 billion system in five Upper Midwest states — tries to move ahead in Minnesota.
August 28, 2024
Environment
Bid to reopen oil pipeline near Pipestone monument prompts tribal backlash
Out of service for two years, the pipeline would be routed around the monument. But Native Americans say it threatens a quarry that one local official calls “key to our spirituality.”
September 10, 2024
Environment
Wind power developer pledges to clear discarded turbine blades from Minnesota town
NextEra Energy told Minnesota utility regulators it would start moving the junk next month after two startup recycling contractors failed to do so for nearly four years.
September 5, 2024
Environment
Future of discarded wind turbine blades in Minnesota town gets cloudier after company disappears
With the future uncertain for the gigantic pile of wind junk, one man tried to cut through a blade with a stump grinder.
September 3, 2024
Greater Minnesota
Minnesota farm country debates what could be the state’s first carbon-capture pipeline
Pipeline safety and environmental benefits are in question as the Summit Carbon Solutions project — an $8.9 billion system in five Upper Midwest states — tries to move ahead in Minnesota.
August 28, 2024