News & Ideas

In remembrance of David Thornton and his legacy of clean air

David Thornton's legacy lives on in clean air work across Minnesota and will be remembered by Environmental Initiative and all those he inspired. Read reflections from executive director Mike Harley and senior partnership director Bill Droessler and join us for his celebration of life on Sept. 24.

From one garage to 1,000 repairs: Project CAR hits milestone

Project Clean Air Repair (CAR) recently completed its 1,000th vehicle emissions system repair! Over nine years, Project CAR has grown into a statewide initiative, eliminating 55 tons of ozone-forming emissions while supporting reliable transportation for Minnesota communities.

At Washburn-McReavy, going electric is about more than reducing emissions

Thanks to support from Environmental Initiative and the City of Minneapolis Green Cost Share Program, four new electric utility vehicles are making a quiet impact on families at Washburn-McReavy's Minneapolis cemeteries.

Modernizing the fleet without taking on all the risk: a Q&A with Errol Rice, President of Transystems

For more than 80 years, Transystems has been loading and hauling sugar beets for Co-Op customers across North Dakota, Minnesota, and Idaho. When the opportunity came to modernize their fleet through a clean diesel upgrade program, they took it.

Clean water starts on the land. Art starts the conversation.

Source Water Protection Collaborative artist-in-residence Mary Beth Magyar is working with community members in Chatfield to build two mosaics rooted in the region's karst geology. The project aims to start conversations about water protection and give the community a sense of agency when it comes to their drinking water.

The three pillars of civil resistance: Lessons from the Twin Cities

What emerged during Operation Metro Surge, and what continues today, offers a crucial lesson that local leaders across the country cannot afford to ignore. Protecting a free and civil society requires three pillars working in concert: brave people, willing organizations, and robust public space.

The Sustainable Growth Coalition wants to know: Is your emissions data working for you?

Learn how the Sustainable Growth Coalition is exploring emissions data and reporting.

Wildfire smoke and health in Minnesota: What you need to know

We sat down with two state experts, Jessie Carr (MDH) and Matt Taraldsen (MPCA), to learn what's driving the increase in wildfire smoke in Minnesota, how smoke affects our health, and how families and youth programs can prepare.