Local utility companies: Technology development key to meeting governorâs clean energy goals
Local utility companies: Technology development key to meeting governorâs clean energy goals By Holly Bernstein | January 29, 2021 at 9:59 PM CST - Updated January 29 at 10:23 PM
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) â Gov. Tim Walz has proposed a plan to achieve 100% clean energy by the year 2040, a 10-year difference from a similar proposal heâs made before.
The bill will be formally introduced in the Senate on Monday, with North Mankato Sen. Nick Frentz (DFL - North Mankato) serving as chief author.
The clean energy proposal is a four-part plan that would require all electric utilities in Minnesota to use only carbon-free energy resources by 2040, with interim goals along the way.
Farmers prepare for spring season
Farmers prepare for spring season By Jared Dean | January 28, 2021 at 5:20 PM CST - Updated January 28 at 7:30 PM
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) Farmers are staying busy during the winter.
This is the time of year producers are analyzing their finances. Items include cash flow planning, tax management and crop insurance.
Based on these results, farmers talk to their buyers about their finances for the next year.
”In most cases, from about December until March is typically when most ag lenders will sit down with their farm customers to review the financials from the year before, as well as to look ahead for cash flow planning,” said Kent Thiesse, farm management analyst at MinnStar Bank.
Minnesota makes $54 million investment to improve rural broadband
Minnesota makes $54 million investment to improve rural broadband By Jared Dean | January 28, 2021 at 5:10 PM CST - Updated January 28 at 7:52 PM
MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) â The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced Thursday funding for broadband projects across the state.
DEED gave out over $20 million in grants to improve broadband service in rural communities throughout the state. Many companies receiving grants talked about what they will be doing with the funds.
âThis is going to bring fiber optics, dedicated fiber optics, to 540 locations where we are going to be able to offer gigabyte speeds. We will be beginning construction on that this spring when the snow melts,â said Bill Eckles, president of Blue Earth Valley Communications Inc., or BEVCOMM.
Minnesota gets mixed grades on tobacco report card
Minnesota gets mixed grades on tobacco report card By Bernadette Heier | January 27, 2021 at 7:35 PM CST - Updated January 27 at 8:03 PM
NORTH MANKATO, Minn. (KEYC) Even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco use remains a serious public health issue as it continues to be the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and disease.
Minnesota got mixed grades in the American Lung Association’s 19th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report card.
The nationwide report tracks federal and state efforts to reduce tobacco use. Grading the state in five areas:
Funding for tobacco prevention programs – F