Television

Showcase Minnesota (12/4/2006) - Michael Noble and Executive Director of Aveda's Environmental Sustainability Program Mary T'Kach discussed nonprofits and businesses partnering to work on global warming solutions.

Project Energy: Proposed New Power Line Plans Incite Controversy (12/4/2006) - Political Reporter Pat Kessler reported on the Big Stone II coal plant in South Dakota. Kessler interviewed Michael Noble, who talked about Big Stone II's global warming pollution, outdated technology, skyrocketing cost, and impending federal carbon regulations.

Good Question: How should we set the thermostat? (11/31/2006) - Michael Noble explained how to get the most energy efficiency out of your thermostat on this WCCO TV segment.

Are the Boundary Waters forests disappearing? (11/28/2006) - J. Drake Hamilton was a featured speaker at this Science Museum event. Sponsored by Fresh Energy and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, the event discussed how global warming will impact the BWCA and what can be done to slow it. WCCO Meteorologist Paul Douglas gave an introduction to global warming science, Dr. Lee Frelich with the University of Minnesota's Center for Hardwood Ecology talked about the effects on the BWCA, and J. Drake Hamilton discussed solutions. Watch Paul Douglas' weather broadcasts from the Science Museum and reporting on the event: 5:00 PM news 10:00 PM news

Good Question: Which holiday lights save energy? (11/27/2006) - In this WCCO TV segment Michael Noble explained that LED lights use 99% less energy than the traditional incandescent holiday lights many people grew up with, and they last longer and are more durable. If all of the large holiday bulbs were replaced with LED ones, we'd save enough energy to power 200,000 homes for a year.

Good Question: Paper or Plastic? (11/3/2006) - Michael Noble was featured on the most recent segment of WCCO TV's Project Energy series. Michael explained that although plastic bags take less energy to make and transport, the choice between paper and plastic depends on what you do with the bag afterward: whether you recycle it, use it again, or throw it in the trash.

Interfaith Groups Seek Global Warming Solutions (10/1/2006) - This WCCO-TV story relates how thousands of congregations nationwide are preparing to tackle global warming this season. Hundreds of Minnesota congregations have joined the effort, and Fresh Energy's Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton has worked with many of them on global warming science and policy solutions. Check out our events page for a global warming event at a congregation near you.

Big Stone II Price Soars (7/25/2006) - Sioux Falls' KELOLAND TV interviewed Fresh Energy's Michael Noble about the skyrocketing cost of Big Stone II coal-fired power plant being built in South Dakota to serve customers in Minnesota. Citing the high costs and smarter alternatives, Noble said, "The plant will never be built."

Good Question: Can we be energy independent? (7/18/2006) - Michael Noble answered WCCO-TV's "Good Question" on this segment of Project Energy. Noble stressed that there's no single silver bullet to replace all of our imported energy, but the combination of efficiency, renewable energy, and new technologies can make us more independent. 

Showcase Minnesota (5/29/2006) - Fresh Energy's Executive Director, Michael Noble, was a guest on the premiere of the new KARE 11 morning show, Showcase Minnesota.  Michael explained Fresh Energy's five program areas and how everyone can support a clean, efficient, and innovative energy system in the Midwest. 

In the Know: Global Warming (5/17/2006) - A new poll shows that most Americans - specifically hunters and those who fish - know that global warming is happening and think the government should do more to fight it.

RES Passes Senate (5/11/2006) - WCCO Political Reporter Pat Kessler reports on the Minnesota Senate passing a Renewable Electricity Standard.

In the Know: RES (5/11/2006) - WCCO Anchor Don Shelby says a Renewable Electricity Standard is the right thing to do for Minnesota.

Project Energy is a year-long effort by WCCO-TV in Minneapolis/St. Paul that takes an in-depth look at America's energy use: where it comes from, how we use it, and the consequences of the energy we use. See the WCCO-TV website for more information.

Project Energy
Part 1 (4/10):	Our Oil Addiction
Part 2 (4/11):	Better Fuel Efficiency
Part 3 (4/12):	Home Energy Savings That Add Up
Part 4 (4/13):	Finding Alternative Energy Sources
Part 5 (4/14):	The Evidence Exists

Radio

"Energy Independence" Drive Kicks Off Today (10/03/06) - Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton was quoted in this Minnesota News Connection radio story about a plan released by several dozen state and national conservation and public interest groups to cut pollution, boost the Midwest's economy, and bring the nation closer to energy independence. The story was aired on 57 stations around the Upper Midwest, and was picked up by the Clear Channel News Network news feed and distributed to 460 news talk stations around the country.

Gasification May Turn Coal into "Clean" Fuel (9/20/2006) - Fresh Energy Board member Ross Hammond explained to Minnesota Public Radio that the Mesaba coal gasification plant proposed for Minnesota's Iron Range will not be able to capture and store CO2 efficiently or cost-effectively. Instead, the state needs better energy efficiency and to exhaust its renewable energy sources first before building more coal plants.

Mixed Signals on Energy Policy (9/15/2006) - In this Minnesota Public Radio story, Fresh Energy's Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton said it's time to transition away from fossil fuels because of the damage we're causing the planet...as well as skyrocketing fuel prices.

It Takes a Village, KLBB AM 1470 (7/8/2006) - Timothy Rose, Fresh Energy's media relations director, talks about Fresh Energy, the Renewable Electricity Standard, and the Federal Climate Protection Act. 

Good Morning, KROC AM 1340 (6/30/2006) - In this interview, Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton explains that global warming can be fought with individual actions, like buying green power from your utility, and government leadership, like passing a Renewable Electricity Standard. In addition, increased renewable energy development in the Upper Midwest will lead to stronger rural economies, more high-skilled jobs, and increased investment.

Dull, old, unloved and still the best way to save energy dollars (6/28/2006) - Minnesota Public Radio quotes Fresh Energy's J. Drake Hamilton on how innovations in efficiency could save energy and money.

Print

State poised to go green (1/7/2006) - Michael Noble was quoted in this St. Paul Pioneer Press story. Economic opportunity, environmental concerns, and national security are just a few factors that may move Minnesota toward a clean energy future this legislative session. Noble pointed out, "Minnesota has a fantastic opportunity in wind power...and we have both manufacturing and technology infrastructure that would support this industry."

Clean and bright (12/18/2006) - Executive Director Michael Noble was quoted in this St. Paul Pioneer Press story, explaining that super-efficient LED holiday lights use one-hundredth the energy of the lights from a generation ago, and one-tenth the energy of standard twinkling mini-lights.

MPUC's nuclear storage decision gets challenged (12/6/2006) - Fresh Energy, in partnership with the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, is challenging a recent Minnesota Public Utilities Commission decision to extend the storage of nuclear waste at the Monticello nuclear power plant another 20 years. Fresh Energy argues that because no federal waste disposal site has been established, the waste will likely be permanent and pose as a substantial risk for leaks or a terrorist target.

Northern Minnesota feels the heat (11/28/06) - This Minnesota Daily story interviews Fresh Energy Science Policy Director J. Drake Hamilton about the changes global warming may bring to Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. J points out that the three main sources of global warming pollution as coal-burning power plants, oil-consuming vehicles and buildings. The key to solving the global warming dilemma is to address these areas.

New film documents destructive power of hydroelectric plants (11/27/06) - Senior Policy Associate Ken Bradley was quoted in this Minneapolis Downtown Journal article about the film Green Green Water. Green Green Water shows how large hydroelectric dams in Manitoba, Canada have destroyed native communities there. Xcel Energy gets about 10% of its electricity from these dams, and so Xcel's Minnesota customers are key to demanding a fair energy system.

Industry will need to change for energy independence (11/21/06) - Fresh Energy's executive director Michael Noble was quoted in this Agri News article. Noble spoke at the event "Farming Our Fuel: Growing a Sustainable Ethanol Industry." He explained that despite political rhetoric dating back to Jimmy Carter, America's dependence on foreign oil has increased. Key to cutting our overdependence on oil is an automobile fleet that runs on cleaner, homegrown fuel sources.

Tapping the river’s power: Crown Hydro power plant proposal back on the table (11/14/06) - In this Minneapolis Skyway Downtown Journal story, Fresh Energy's senior policy associate Ken Bradley explains that Minneapolis is one of the few Midwestern cities with a growing population. Small hydroelectric power coming from St. Anthony Falls in downtown Minneapolis - rather than more dirty coal plants - will be key in meeting the increased electricity demand.

Xcel plans to tap wind, water for power needs (11/03/06) - Fresh Energy's executive director Michael Noble is quoted in the following article in the Star Tribune which details how Xcel is making a bid to turn to "green" alternatives to coal to meet growing electricity needs. Noble said Xcel's decision should serve as a model for other utilities considering coal plants, like the ones proposing Big Stone II in South Dakota.

Jon Campbell, Dee Long and Lenny Pippin: Transportation amendment makes sense (10/23/06) - Fresh Energy tax and incentives policy director, Dee Long, authored this Star Tribune opinion piece endorsing the Transportation Amendment. If approved by the voters, this amendment would give roads and public transportation the dedicated, stable funding it sorely needs.

A bright idea (10/16/06) - Ken Bradley, Fresh Energy's senior policy associate, was quoted in the Southwest Journal in a story about energy efficiency. The article highlights the Minnesota Energy Challenge website, which calculates the money and energy one can save by replacing traditional light bulbs with newer high-efficiency compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Bradley explained that living efficiently is not about living with less, it's about living well with smart, innovative products.

More coal in wind country? (10/12/06) This opinion column in the Minnesota Daily – one of the nation’s largest university newspapers – explains why the Big Stone II coal plant is the wrong choice for Minnesota. The article quotes Michael Noble, Fresh Energy Executive Director: "This plant should never be built. It's bad economically and an obsolete and antiquated idea before the doors would even open. … The legacy we leave our children and grandchildren cannot include more global warming pollutants and the wasting of money on old-fashioned thinking and technology."

Clotheslines save energy, money, but some dislike airing their clean laundry (10/03/06) - Fresh Energy's science policy director J. Drake Hamilton was quoted in this Monteray Hearld report about energy use and clothes drying options.  According to the article, clothes drying accounts for 10% of a household’s energy use.  Whereas some housing developments argue the clothesline disturbs urban aesthetic, Hamilton helps us keep in mind the simplicity of energy efficiency.  Want to simplify your energy-consuming life? Go back to the basics; Skip the dryer and let nature do its work.

Rybak unveils strategies to make city more energy efficient (10/03/06) - In this Minneapolis Downtown Journal story, Fresh Energy's senior policy associate Ken Bradley gives positive support to Mayor R.T. Rybak’s push to expand enivornmental efforts in next year’s city budget.  Government, citizens, and businesses must rally togther in the fight against climate change. Bradley is a member of the Citizen Environment Advisory Committee that is working to make Minneapolis more energy efficient.

Last stand for our forests? (10/01/06) - Fresh Energy's science policy director J. Drake Hamilton was quoted in this St. Paul Pioneer Press story about how nonnative insects, deer, global warming and lack of fire could destroy the Boundary Waters and redefine northern Minnesota in the next century.  The report details how a "'perfect storm' of invading pests, deer, global warming and lack of fire could wipe out the BWCA and forests that define northern Minnesota—all in the next century, a leading ecologist predicts.”

Quiet hearing OKs nuke storage: Decision final in June unless legislators act (9/29/06) - Fresh Energy's executive director Michael Noble was quoted in this St. Paul Pioneer Press story about storing radioactive waste at the Monticello nuclear power plant. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved the storage request unanimously. Unless legislators intervene, the decision will be final in June. Up to 30 above-ground containers were approved for nuclear waste storage.

Green Power (9/26/2006) - Fresh Energy's executive director Michael Noble was quoted in the Summer issue of Minnesota Technology magazine. This cover story details how businesses are becoming more energy efficient, especially in building construction. Noble pointed out that Minnesota is a "mixed bag" on forward-thinking energy policy. Serving as an example for Minnesota's future efforts, states like Iowa, Texas, and California are pushing further and faster to make the transition to a clean and efficient energy system.

Green at Work (9/20/2006) - Fresh Energy's business administrator Libby Ungar tells the Minnesota Women's Press how Fresh Energy encourages its employees to "walk the talk" and live efficiently.

Mesaba project moving forward—challenges still loom for Excelsior Energy; Hoyt Lakes meeting set for Aug. 23 (9/8/2006) - In this Timberjay Newspapers article, Fresh Energy board members Jim Bernstein and Ross Hammond explain why the Mesaba coal gasification project proposed for Minnesota’s Iron Range is inefficient and how it will increase utility bills and worsen global warming.

New Media

Free market advocate says fight effects, not global warming (8/8/2006) - Fresh Energy’s science policy director, J. Drake Hamilton, was a global warming expert quoted on the blog “The Raw Story.”  J. called for swift action on global warming solutions that will benefit our environment and our economy.