Midwest Energy News

Iowa researchers: ‘Time is running out’ for climate action

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CLIMATE: Iowa academic researchers say “time is running out” for the state to take bold action on climate change, such as transitioning to renewable energy. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

PIPELINES:
• A federal judge puts a temporary stop to a South Dakota anti-riot law that was targeted specifically at pipeline protesters. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
• The federal government is contesting North Dakota’s claims that the state should be reimbursed $38 million for the cost of policing Dakota Access pipeline protests. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join leading code experts November 13-14 in Omaha, Nebraska, for MEEA’s 10th annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference. Registration is free, and travel stipends are available for government & nonprofit employees.

Midwest Energy News

Minnesota court denies challenge over Line 3 environmental review

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PIPELINES: The Minnesota Supreme Court rejects challenges to an environmental review of Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline, allowing the project to move forward in the regulatory approval process. (Minnesota Public Radio)

EFFICIENCY: A new partnership allows ComEd to connect with community action agencies in northern Illinois to spread energy efficiency spending in low-income communities. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join leading code experts November 13-14 in Omaha, Nebraska, for MEEA’s 10th annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference. Registration is free, and travel stipends are available for government & nonprofit employees. Act now to reserve your spot!***

UTILITIES: Duke Energy announces plans to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050, though its path will likely vary among states where it has utilities.

Midwest Energy News

Agreement would close central Illinois coal plant in 2022

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COAL: A proposed settlement would close in 2022 a central Illinois coal plant that’s been the subject of a lawsuit by environmental groups for years; it would be the fifth coal plant closure that owner Vistra has announced over the past month. (Peoria Journal Star, Chicago Tribune)

UTILITIES:
• Iowa environmental groups criticize a utility’s proposed fixed charge increase they say would discourage energy efficiency and customer-owned solar power. (Energy News Network)
• Missouri regulators plan to more closely watch utilities’ use of “self-scheduling” when they operate power plants despite low wholesale market prices. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join leading code experts November 13-14 in Omaha, Nebraska, for MEEA’s 10th annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference. Registration is free, and travel stipends are available for government & nonprofit employees.

Midwest Energy News

North Dakota poised for wind energy growth despite pockets of resistance

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EFFICIENCY: When Illinois’ law legalizing recreational marijuana takes effect Jan. 1, growers will face some of the strongest energy efficiency and reporting requirements in the country. (Energy News Network)

WIND: North Dakota is poised for wind energy development, though the sector faces pockets of resistance in some parts of the state. (Forum News Service)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join leading code experts November 13-14 in Omaha, Nebraska, for MEEA’s 10th annual Midwest Building Energy Codes Conference. Registration is free, and travel stipends are available for government & nonprofit employees.

Midwest Energy News

Indiana Republican helps lead Senate climate caucus

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Sacramento, California, prepares to test a hyperlocal EV charging program that will use a Chicago company’s blockchain software to track customer rewards. (Energy News Network)
• Ford and General Motors ramp up development of electric versions of popular truck models to head off Tesla. (Reuters)

CLIMATE:
• Mayors and other local officials in Indiana share ideas about local resilience to climate change at a summit this week. (Goshen News)
• Republican Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana will lead the formation of a bipartisan climate caucus in the U.S. Senate. (Washington Examiner)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest energy landscape is changing.