Midwest Energy News

Michigan city unveils $1B plan to be carbon neutral by 2030

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Chicago resident receives a fellowship to develop a curriculum and train auto dealers to better sell electric vehicles. (Energy News Network)

EMISSIONS: City officials in Ann Arbor, Michigan, unveil a $1 billion plan to make the city carbon neutral by 2030. (MLive)

***SPONSORED LINK: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and strategic leader to drive our climate work: Join our team as MCEA’s Climate Program Director! Apply here.***

SOLAR:
• Installers say residential rooftop projects in Minnesota will shrink in size by at least 20% after new statewide building codes take effect today. (Energy News Network)
• Portions of a contaminated industrial brownfield site in southeastern Minnesota will be leased for a solar project.

Midwest Energy News

Iowa regulators agree to double Dakota Access pipeline capacity

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CARBON CAPTURE: A North Dakota carbon capture and storage project represents an important harbinger of how coal could continue to exist on the grid, particularly in rural areas, supporters say. (Energy News Network)

PIPELINES: Iowa regulators agree to double the capacity of the Dakota Access pipeline, finding that it would not “significantly increase the risk of a spill.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

***SPONSORED LINK: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and strategic leader to drive our climate work: Join our team as MCEA’s Climate Program Director! Apply here.***

COAL: Critics say a new Indiana law that could delay the retirement of coal plants sends the wrong message about the state. (Statehouse File)

SOLAR:
• Some Michigan solar installers halt work or scale back operations due to the coronavirus. (MiBiz)
• Most U.S. solar manufacturers continue production as “essential” facilities, including First Solar, which has facilities in Ohio and abroad.

Midwest Energy News

COVID-19 will likely stall clean energy bills in the Midwest

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TRANSMISSION: A planned underground transmission line through Iowa and Illinois hasn’t faced the same organized opposition that has dogged overhead transmission lines in the region. (Energy News Network)

EFFICIENCY:
• An Illinois architect discusses the challenges of reaching higher percentages of energy efficiency levels in new buildings and retrofits. (Energy News Network)
• A retrofitted Michigan home that nears net-zero energy usage could be the norm instead of the exception to the rule, building contractors say. (WMUK)

POLICY: COVID-19 will likely stall clean energy reforms in Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and other states as legislatures pause work. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR: The U.S. solar industry could be facing a crisis due to uncertainty over the Investment Tax Credit as projects face delays.

Midwest Energy News

Federal judge orders environmental review of Dakota Access pipeline

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PIPELINES: A federal judge orders an environmental review of the Dakota Access pipeline nearly three years after it started transporting oil, potentially opening the door for it to be shut down. (NPR)

SOLAR: Minnesota solar advocates say the coronavirus pandemic adds urgency for state lawmakers to increase the budget for a solar incentive program. (Energy News Network)

CLEAN TECH: A Minneapolis development plans to feature aquifer thermal energy, an alternative to natural gas that uses groundwater to heat and cool buildings. (MPR News)

BIOFUELS:
• The Trump administration will not appeal a court ruling that limits its use of waivers for small oil refiners from biofuel blending requirements. (Reuters)
• Minnesota biofuels advocates welcome the administration’s decision, while the oil industry calls it an “astonishing” blow to small refineries.

Midwest Energy News

South Dakota governor signs ‘riot-boosting’ bill

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PIPELINES: South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signs a bill increasing penalties for “riot boosting,” which critics say could have a chilling effect on peaceful pipeline protests. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Minnesota regulators extend the public comment period on permits for Enbridge’s Line 3 pipeline until April 30 and will take comments by phone. (Duluth News Tribune)

SOLAR:
• Iowa City officials plan to lease public land to MidAmerican Energy for a utility-scale solar project, though some officials express concern about siting the project on prairie habitat. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)
• An Illinois program offers free safety training to Chicago-area fire departments on how to safely handle solar panels while on the job. (Solar Industry)

RENEWABLES:
• North Dakota regulators approve a $4.01 monthly renewable energy rider to help pay for wind energy costs that increased with the phase-out of a federal tax credit.