Energy News Network (https://energynews.us/author/abalaskovitz/)
Andy has been a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News since 2014, following four years at City Pulse, Lansing’s alt-weekly newspaper. He is a graduate of Michigan State University’s Journalism School, where he focused on topics covered by the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and wrote for the Great Lakes Echo. He was the 2008 and 2009 recipient of the Edward Meeman Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Environmental Journalism at MSU.
Independent power producers say recent rulings by Michigan regulators provide short-term development opportunities but also more uncertainty in the coming years as they negotiate contracts with a major utility.
SOLAR: Minnesota utility regulators approve an incentive to encourage more residential participation in community solar projects, though not at the level advocates wanted. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
ALSO:
• Minnesota developers say changes to an Xcel Energy incentive program that increases the limit on project sizes could discourage businesses from installing larger solar systems. (Energy News Network)
• Vectren and consumer advocates agree on a lower rate structure for a planned 50 MW solar project in southern Indiana that previously divided advocates. (Evansville Courier & Press, Energy News Network archive)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot at the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala featuring guest speaker and Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck on November 14 in East Lansing. Network with Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, business leaders, policy makers, and award winners!***
MICROGRIDS: Customers are increasingly interested in behind-the-meter microgrids in the Midwest for sustainability, reliability, and economic benefits. (Energy News Network)
WIND:
• Southern Power is building a 200 MW wind project in Kansas that will be the company’s first carbon offset project.
CORRECTION: An article linked in yesterday’s digest incorrectly stated that Minnesota was halfway to meeting its emissions reduction goal. The report cited in the article was specifically for state government facilities. CLIMATE: Local officials in Wisconsin say the latest United Nations report on climate change underscores the need for local action on clean energy. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
NUCLEAR: Environmental groups file a federal complaint against a Michigan agency for allowing a nuclear plant to discharge waste into Lake Erie under an expired permit. (Monroe News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot at the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala featuring guest speaker and Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck on November 14 in East Lansing.
BIOFUELS: Corn and ethanol producers praise the Trump administration for allowing year-round sales of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, while oil industry and environmental groups oppose the new rule. (Radio Iowa, The Hill)
ALSO:
• Despite bipartisan support for his plan, President Trump claims at a political rally in Council Bluffs that Democrats will “take away your ethanol.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Officials are investigating the cause of an explosion at a Wisconsin ethanol plant. (Associated Press)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot at the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala featuring guest speaker and Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck on November 14 in East Lansing. Network with Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, business leaders, policy makers, and award winners!***
SOLAR:
• Minnesota regulators are expected to decide this week on a bonus payment to new residential community solar subscribers, who have largely been left out as developers have focused on larger customers. (Energy News Network)
• Southern Illinois officials delay a vote on a controversial proposed solar project at a former wood treatment facility.
INDIANA: Advocacy groups call for the complete overhaul of a draft report intended to chart Indiana’s energy future, saying it uncritically endorses utilities’ pursuit of natural gas. (Energy News Network)
COAL:
• A central Ohio coal plant is closing two years ahead of schedule in 2020 as it fails to compete on the wholesale market. (Coshocton Tribune)
• Wind and solar energy is straining the equipment at a 1,365 MW coal plant in Nebraska by causing it to ramp up and down more frequently. (Bloomberg)
***SPONSORED LINK: Secure your spot at the Michigan Energy Innovators Gala featuring guest speaker and Tendril CEO Adrian Tuck on November 14 in East Lansing. Network with Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, business leaders, policy makers, and award winners!***
UTILITIES:
• Kansas City Power & Light’s plan to return federal tax savings to customers also includes measures to encourage renewable energy purchases, community solar and reduce energy usage.