Latest news with #MinnesotaIce
CBS News
7 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Twin Cities businesses brace for cost hikes tied to tariffs
How the trade war is impacting energy costs for Minnesota businesses How the trade war is impacting energy costs for Minnesota businesses How the trade war is impacting energy costs for Minnesota businesses An important conversation is underway in London that could impact everyone. Top U.S. and Chinese officials are negotiating tariffs. When it comes to the trade war, one cost that hits all of us is the cost of energy. On Monday, the temperature outside Minnesota Ice in St. Paul was around 60 degrees. Inside the facility, it was 20 degrees, which takes a lot of energy. "The two biggest costs we have are power and water," Mark Lawson with Minnesota Ice said. The business makes ice for convenience stores, craft cocktails and the Eagan Ice Maze. "The wonder that ice can bring is something that you really wouldn't expect," Lawson said. Something else he didn't expect was the rising cost of power. "It is steadily growing," he said. And that's on top of pending tariffs, and some that are in place for aluminum and steel. "We operate on very low margins, and these might not hit us for six months, but we have to keep the lights on, so we will just have to raise the cost of our product, which you don't want to do. Nobody wants that," Lawson said. Minnesota Ice isn't the only local business that's hoping things will cool down. "The way we and the industry see it, we are walking off a cliff," Michael Allen, CEO of All Energy Solar in St. Paul, said. Michael's Industry is solar energy. He's worried about 50% tariff increases on metals they use to make solar panels and proposed federal cuts that would take away rebates for families to go solar, as part of President Trump's so-called "Big, Beautiful Bill." "I predict a significant slowdown in the industry. I predict a lost increase for consumers who want to do this product," Allen said. A statement from the White House insists that tariffs work and can be an effective tool for achieving economic and strategic objectives. As the White House adjusts its strategy, Allen says the industry will have to adjust prices. "We have to anticipate that there's going to be an increased cost. Just to do the exact same thing we're doing today, it will be expensive tomorrow," he said. As for the cost of power bills, there hasn't been much of a jump over the past year. Recent numbers show the average price in Minnesota is $14.62 per kilowatt hour, or about $60 per month for an average home. That's below the national average.
CBS News
30-01-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Winter event organizers adjusting to recent warmup
MINNEAPOLIS — The record challenging warmth and lack of natural snow is impacting several winter events scheduled this week. The Minnesota Ice Festival at TCO Stadium in Eagan is laying down special tarp to preserve as much ice as possible. "People like to touch the ice and actually experience it. And by putting these UV tarps over everything, it's like an insurance package to ensure we can be open a couple more weeks after this," said Robbie Harrell, Founder & CEO of Minnesota Ice. The festival will be closed Thursday, but open again Friday with fireworks, and one of the largest ice sculpting competitions in the country. "We've got ice sculptors coming in from all the way over in Europe and throughout the United States. We've got judges coming in from Canada. It's really a big opportunity for the ice sculptors to showcase their art. We're giving them 25 blocks of ice," Harrell said. Over in Theo Wirth Park, the warmth hasn't stopped the cross-country skiers. But it has been a challenge for the Loppet Foundation, forcing them to change the route for this weekend's races. "The only races that will be affected are longer skis, they'll now be five kilometer loops. But other than that, a lot of our events will continue as planned, because so much of it is based from the park originally," said Meghan Cosgrove, the Loppet's Executive Director. She says the uncooperative weather is just something her team has to anticipate from the start. But she said the course is ready to go -- snow or shine. "Being rooted here in Wirth is special in and of itself, and now everyone can be at the events together, so there's a bigger community feel to it, in a sense," said Cosgrove. Harrell said more than 30,000 guests have already visited the ice festival and they'll plan to keep it open as long as the weather allows. For any additional changes, or to buy tickets for the ice festival, visit their website. The latest on the Loppet can be found here.
