Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Paul Huttner

Behind the battery tech boom, and Trump's climate-rejecting budget

A PhD student holds a used lithium-ion battery
Matt Murbach, a PhD student in chemical engineering at the University of Washington, holds a used lithium-ion battery in the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds lab at UW's Clean Energy Institute in Seattle.
Ted S. Warren | AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Want Climate Cast in your feed each week? Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.

Batteries, budgets and ice hockey. We have a rather varied Climate Cast for you this week, so buckle up. Here's what's on the show:

What's fueling this climate-friendly battery tech boom? Lithium-ion batteries — which power everything from cell phones to electric cars — are getting smaller, better and cheaper. Since 2010, prices have dropped by 80 percent. Another 50 percent drop is expected by 2025. This advancing technology is increasingly being deployed to store energy from renewables like solar and wind. Ellen Anderson, executive director of the University of Minnesota's Energy Transition Lab, explains why.

Trump's climate-rejecting budget plan. It's puzzling to some businesses that the Trump administration's budget proposals seem to neglect climate changes that many see both as a growing threat and opportunity. Energy and Environment News reporter Zach Colman tells us what jumps out about the latest White House budget proposal on climate.

Minnesota's shrinking outdoor hockey season. The winters of Jay McCleary's youth are no more. He shares his experience watching Minnesota's outdoor ice season get smaller and smaller as the years go on. Click here to read more of his story.

Hear the show by using the audio player above.