In today’s stories, tariffs take a toll on the state’s economy. Then, why federal changes may mean more nuclear energy plants in Minnesota. And, the shores of Lake Superior face urgent coastal threats.
Transcript
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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.
ANCHOR: In today's stories, tariffs take a toll on the state's economy. Then, why federal changes may mean more nuclear energy plants in Minnesota. And, the shores of Lake Superior face urgent coastal threats.
I'm Chantel SinGs.
Minnesota exports are down. The Department of Employment and Economic Development, or DEED, reported that state exports dipped six percent during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year. DEED blamed the losses on what it called "on-again, off-again tariffs" imposed by the Trump administration. The agency said numbers were down in eight of the state's top ten exports — the largest drop was in the cereal category, including corn and wheat, which was down 63 percent. DEED noted that while U.S. exports are modestly up, Minnesota was one of 20 states that recorded a decline or no growth.
Next, a recent executive order is giving some Minnesota lawmakers renewed hope that the state could cash in on nuclear energy. But, that has others concerned. Jose Ozoria has more.
Jose Ozoria: President Trump recently signed executive orders to accelerate the development of nuclear energy in the United States. The orders would quadruple the country's nuclear capacity by 2050. Minnesota representative Spencer Igo is excited by what this could mean for the state of Minnesota.
Spencer Igo: And if we plan this all out right, we could see a total resurgence of Minnesota being an energy exporter with very affordable and reliable power within a decade.
Jose Ozoria: Representative Igo believes that nuclear power is a viable solution that will future proof the country and address the state's energy needs.
Spencer Igo: And we live in a time where energy demand is increasing exponentially.
Jose Ozoria: But not everyone agrees with Representative Igo's energy solution.
John LaForge: Our position here is that the potential risk of catastrophic radiation releases from accidents with these machines are too big a risk to take.
Jose Ozoria: John La Forge is the co-director of Nuke Watch, a nuclear watchdog organization.
John LaForge: There are safer, far cheaper alternatives available along with simple energy conservation and efficiency, such that we could replace the 18 or 19% of the electricity that's produced by nuclear reactors in the United States.
Jose Ozoria: Representative Igo thinks that educating the public will help spread awareness about the positive aspects of nuclear power.
Spencer Igo: Nuclear doesn't look like what it did now and then. You know, people also think of Fukushima. We're also not right on the Pacific Ocean. And I think when you talk about where nuclear is too, like how much safer these new facilities are that are being built, also mentioning that the waste they produce is actually being researched and turned into another type of fuel itself.
Jose Ozoria: Mr. LaForge points out that there are already signs of the negative environmental impact reactors have had in Minnesota, specifically the two nuclear reactors located on the Mississippi River in Monticello and on Prairie Island.
John LaForge: You know, these operating reactors are allowed by law to emit radioactive gasses and liquids into the air and water on a daily basis, some of which, which reached the Mississippi River, was highly contaminated with radioactive tritium, the radioactive form of hydrogen which cannot be separated from water once it's contaminated the body of water.
Jose Ozoria: The moratorium on expanded nuclear power consumption is still in effect in Minnesota, but there's a strong movement among some within the state legislature to rethink this position. Representative Spencer Igo describes what he hopes will happen.
Spencer Igo: If we could return to the legislature next year with a global agreement that we have found the way to lift the moratorium, then every community in Minnesota is happy. We lift the moratorium, and then at that point, we would probably direct the Minnesota Department of Commerce to start reaching out to the US Department of Energy about trying to secure nuclear investment grants.
Jose Ozoria: For North Star Stories, I'm Jose Ozoria.
ANCHOR: You are listening to North Star Stories.
Minnesota Point, a Duluth neighborhood and natural sandbar, is facing growing risks from erosion and flooding. Earlier this summer, residents gathered at Turning Point Summit, an event to share a new coastal resilience plan and manage the coastal risks. The plan addresses repeated storm damage, shoreline loss and rising lake levels. It includes steps to restore and protect the environment while improving public access. The aim is to reduce future damage and support long-term resilience for the area. Partners from the city, state, and local community are working together to carry out the plan.
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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.