Midwest Energy News

North Dakota hearing highlights tension over wind development, coal

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NOTE TO READERS: Midwest Energy News will be taking a break for Independence Day. We will return on Tuesday, July 7. EQUITY: Advocates say clean energy and efficiency programs for low-income households can help address the energy burden disproportionately faced by African Americans while providing multiple benefits for utilities and customers. (Energy News Network)

WIND:
• Tension over wind development in North Dakota’s coal country surfaces during a public hearing over a county’s moratorium on wind development in place until 2022. (Bismarck Tribune)
• An AEP subsidiary signs a long-term power purchase agreement for the output of a 400 MW wind project in central Illinois.

Midwest Energy News

Michigan regulators, judge hear Line 5 pipeline disputes

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EQUITY: People of color are more at risk of utility disconnections, add-on utility fees and inefficient housing, yet Ohio regulators and utilities aren’t collecting data on whether these disparities are widening. (Energy News Network)

HOUSING: An energy-efficient, affordable housing development in Chicago moves forward despite the loss of architect Michael Sorkin to COVID-19, who had forged a partnership with the local nonprofit Blacks in Green. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.*** 

PIPELINES:
• Enbridge argues in court that federal regulators — not the state of Michigan — have the authority to close the Line 5 pipeline. (Detroit Free Press)
• The Michigan Public Service Commission denies Enbridge’s request for expedited approval of a plan to build a tunnel for the pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac.

Midwest Energy News

Indiana regulators deny utility requests to recover pandemic losses

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UTILITIES: Indiana regulators deny 10 utilities’ request to charge customers for electricity and natural gas that wasn’t used during the pandemic, and also extended prohibitions on disconnections until August 14. (Times of Northwest Indiana)

ALSO: Indiana’s largest utilities each own significant amounts of coal capacity but are sitting on plans to install large amounts of solar. (S&P Global)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.***  

COAL:
• A coalition of local, regional and national organizations has released an economic plan to help struggling coal communities. (InsideClimate News)
• Coal communities are increasingly relying on federal health programs due to continuing layoffs and declining state revenues from coal and oil.

Midwest Energy News

Line 5 damage may suggest broader structural issues, experts say

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SOLAR: The first projects under Illinois’ Solar for All program are installed on Chicago’s South Side at no upfront cost to residents. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• Major anticipated solar development in Indiana, Michigan and southern states is expected to eclipse wind production in grid operator MISO’s service territory. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• A Minnesota solar company predicts growth this year under new leadership despite setbacks from the pandemic. (Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.***  

PIPELINES:
• Experts say the latest damage to the Line 5 pipeline may be part of a broader structural problem for its segment in the Straits of Mackinac.

Midwest Energy News

Line 5 pipeline temporarily shut down following court order

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PIPELINES: A Michigan judge orders Enbridge to temporarily shut down Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, citing a lack of disclosure following significant damage last week to one of the line’s anchor supports. (Detroit News)

ALSO: Minnesota regulators uphold permits for Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline replacement and expansion after challenges from tribes, environmental groups and a state agency. (MPR News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.***  

CLEAN ENERGY: A new report details clean energy job losses in the Midwest since the pandemic and recommends policies to jumpstart the industry that had been growing faster than the broader economy. (Wisconsin State Journal)

WIND: Wind energy component shipments are benefitting a southeastern Michigan port, which is handling 40 wind tower segments every eight days as part of its largest project to date.