The Minnesota legislature has passed and the Governor has signed HF 1752/SF1463, an approximately $500 million bonding bill that included an option for public buildings to utilize solar energy.

This week, the Minnesota Department of Commerce filed official comments at the Public Utilities Commission that said Minnesota Power should shut down five of its coal plants.

News about the future of coal plants showed up multiple times in the week’s energy headlines.

This week’s stories covered a Cleveland church’s $500,000 solar installation, the American Lung Association’s air quality report, and the impact of climate change on corn prices.

5.1.12 // Join Clean Water Action on May 1 for a discussion about the future of renewable energy in Minnesota. Speakers include Deanna White, state director from Clean Water Action, J. Drake Hamilton, science policy advisor from Fresh Energy, and Michelle Schroeder with GreenStep Cities.

5.5.12 – 5.6.12 // For over 10 years, thousands of Minnesotans have made the Living Green Expo an annual tradition. This family-friendly event is one of the largest and most successful green events of its kind!

5.8.12 // Join Clean Water Action on May 8 for a discussion about the future of renewable energy in Minnesota. Speakers include Deanna White, state director from Clean Water Action, J. Drake Hamilton, science policy director from Fresh Energy, and Michelle Schroeder with GreenStep Cities.

Fossil fuels — oil and coal and natural gas — are the central energy source of the world’s economy. No wonder there’s a credibility problem with swapping the old system for a new one, in spite of abundant evidence that the Earth’s climate will change radically due to carbon pollution from those fossil fuels.

Energy news across the Midwest this week covered everything from offshore floating wind turbines to the affect of LEDs on milk production.

4.24.12 // The next installment of Minnesota Public Radio’s Bright Ideas series will feature Maggie Koerth Baker, the science editor at Boing Boing. She’ll talk with Stephen Smith about her vision of America’s energy future.