September 2021 — The smokestacks of the Hibbing power plant rise sharply against a clear blue sky, their weathered surfaces bearing the marks of decades of use. Long a fixture of Minnesota’s Iron Range, the plant stands as both an emblem of the region’s industrial heritage and a symbol of its ongoing dependence on traditional energy infrastructure. From steel and mining operations to the homes and businesses that rely on its output, the facility plays a central role in the community, even as debates about the future of energy, environmental impacts, and economic transition continue to surround Hibbing and the broader Range.