Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Minnesota House of Representatives

Northern MN helium discovery prompts proposed regulatory framework for gas, oil production

By Margaret Stevens
Joe Henderson, director of the DNR’s Lands and Minerals Division, testifies April 24 before the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee in support of a bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Lislegard, right. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)
Joe Henderson, director of the DNR’s Lands and Minerals Division, testifies April 24 before the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee in support of a bill sponsored by Rep. Dave Lislegard, right. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

Perhaps best known for filling party balloons and causing Mickey Mouse voices, helium is a critical element for many industries ranging from semiconductors to fiber optic cables. One of its biggest uses is as a coolant for MRIs.

A new mining boom could be underway on the Iron Range following the discovery of a large, highly concentrated reservoir of the colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-toxic gas.

Helium’s discovery in northern Minnesota earlier this year is a win for an area that could use it, said Rep. Roger Skraba (R-Ely). Leaders recognized the potential immediately, he said, but soon asked the question: “Now what?”

The answer could come from HF5350 that would establish a fair royalty structure on state lands and provide environmental protections while developing the industry, said Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL-Aurora), who sponsors the bill.
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Recent Dailies

‘Mining’ critical materials from trash could close loop on circular economy
By Margaret Stevens
Rep. Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski Made right, made here, boom! That is the summation made by Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL-Aurora) of a circular economy that can recover critical materials from discarded phones, ...
Shorter courses could improve driving safety among older people, bill supporters say
By Tim Walker
Rep. Robert Bierman Older people may have longer attention spans than younger people, but slogging through an eight-hour driving safety course can be unrealistic for many people, regardless of age....
Governor’s proposed 2024 education finance bill includes expansion of voluntary pre-K program
By Brian Basham
(House Photography file photo) The governor’s proposed supplemental education budget for fiscal year 2025 may save the state roughly $9 million in the General Fund. The House Education Finance Committee r...
Supplemental budget request aims to address nitrate-contaminated drinking water
By Miranda Bryant
More than 9,000 people in southeastern Minnesota are at risk of consuming nitrate-contaminated private well water. They could receive help under a windfall recently realized by ...
Taxing land vs. the buildings on it at core of House bill
By Rob Hubbard
Rep. Steve Elkins presents HF1342 to the House Property Tax Division April 3. The proposal would authorize cities to create land-value taxation districts. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) If your property taxes have risen in recent years, it’s usually because the value of your home has gone up, whether because of market forces or an improvement you’ve made to the...
STEM, tech programs could get combined $3 million for underserved, underrepresented communities
By Tim Walker
Nadira Mohamed, left, testifies before the House Workforce Development Finance and Policy Committee April 3 in support of HF5065 to provide funding for the Minnesota STEM Project and the Milestone Tech Program. Kawthar Mohamud also testified. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) A pair of one-time appropriations both from the Workforce Development Fund aim to assist the Minnesota STEM Project and Milestone Tech Program. Sponsored by Rep. Samakab Hus...
Software could speed up homeowners’ switch to solar
By Rob Hubbard
Bobby King, state program director at Solar United Neighbors, testifies April 2 in support of a bill to provide financial incentives to local permitting authorities that use federal developed software to automate and streamline permit reviewing and issuing process for residential solar projects. Rep. Ned Carroll sponsors HF5171. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) If you want to speed up the process of putting solar panels on your house, Rep. Ned Carroll (DFL-Plymouth) suggests there’s an APP for that. The “APP” in SolarAPP+ stands fo...
Proposal to provide hourly airport employees a health insurance stipend heads to House Floor
By Brian Basham
Samantha Diaz, political director at SEIU Local 26, tells the House Labor and Industry Finance and Policy Committee Tuesday of her support for HF4818, to provide health and welfare benefits to private employees at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Rep. Kaela Berg sponsors the bill. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) Low-wage workers play a critical role in keeping the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport one of the best in the nation, yet they are uninsured at a rate three times highe...
Bill seeks to help Minnesota’s elderly live at home longer
By Miranda Bryant
Eric Nilsen, a senior director of health plan operations with Volunteers of America, testifies April 2 in support of HF4839, sponsored by Rep. Liz Reyer, that would establish the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. (Photo by Michele Jokinen) A Medicare program designed to help frail elderly individuals stay in their homes could be coming to Minnesota. HF4839, sponsored by Rep. Liz Reyer (DFL-Eagan), would establ...
Seniors could split their property tax refunds under House bill
By Rob Hubbard
Rep. Kristin Robbins presents a bill she sponsors to the House Taxes Committee April 2. The proposal would provide a system through which seniors may elect to receive an advance payment of 50% of their homestead credit refund. (Photo by Andrew VonBank) Two property tax refunds are better than one. At least that’s the idea behind HF4826, a bill sponsored by Rep. Kristin Robbins (R-Maple Grove) that would establish a system ...
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Session Daily Home

Search Session Daily
Advanced Search Options

Priority Dailies

Ways and Means Committee OKs proposed $512 million supplemental budget on party-line vote
By Mike Cook
Meeting more needs or fiscal irresponsibility is one way to sum up the differences among the two parties on a supplemental spending package a year after a $72 billion state budg...
Minnesota’s projected budget surplus balloons to $3.7 billion, but fiscal pressure still looms
By Rob Hubbard
Just as Minnesota has experienced a warmer winter than usual, so has the state’s budget outlook warmed over the past few months. On Thursday, Minnesota Management and Budget...

Social Media Links

Minnesota House on Twitter