Midwest Energy News

Ohio referendum effort misses deadline, seeks court ruling for more time

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OHIO: Supporters of a referendum on nuclear and coal plant bailouts in Ohio fail to submit the necessary petition signatures to place the question on the ballot, instead hoping a judge will grant them more time. (Columbus Dispatch)

POLICY: Michigan lawmakers hope reintroducing “energy freedom” bills one at a time will help them overcome utility opposition. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: The MREA invites applications from organizations and jurisdictions who wish to partner on a solar group buy (aka “Grow Solar” or “Solarize”) program in 2020. Solar group buys educate individuals about solar technology and provide a unique, high-value opportunity through partnerships. Learn more here.***

RENEWABLES: 1,700 MW of renewable energy under construction in grid operator MISO’s territory will come online by the end of the year, while an additional 1,400 MW is pushed back to 2020 and 2021.

Midwest Energy News

Opponents prepare challenge to Wisconsin transmission project

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Chicago residents living in apartments push for better access to electric vehicle charging stations as the city adopts new regulations to address the issue. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• Missouri regulators approve Ameren’s $11 million plan for electric vehicle charging stations. (St. Louis Business Journal)
• The need for utilities to respond to increased demand from electric vehicles could come sooner than expected, analysts say. (Utility Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: The MREA invites applications from organizations and jurisdictions who wish to partner on a solar group buy (aka “Grow Solar” or “Solarize”) program in 2020.

Midwest Energy News

Wisconsin task force to address ‘immediate’ climate threat

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CLIMATE: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers creates a climate change task force to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies for what he calls an “immediate threat to the state.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

ALSO:
• Bloomington, Indiana, releases its first greenhouse gas inventory to target operations that would benefit most from efficiency or clean energy. (Indiana Public Media)
• “The evidence is there. You can’t avoid it,” the CEO of Consumers Energy says of the need to address climate change. (Battle Creek Enquirer)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Minnesota’s renewable energy leadership and 50+ exhibitors at MnSEIA’s Gateway Conference, October 21-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Register for MnSEIA’s Solar Tour, robust educational sessions, keynotes, networking, and enter a new era in Minnesota’s solar explosion with us!

Midwest Energy News

Illinois solar grows but state still lags on renewables target

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SOLAR: While Illinois solar companies report strong growth following the Future Energy Jobs Act, the state is far from being on track to meet a 25% renewable portfolio standard by 2025. (Climate Central)

ALSO:
• Some DTE Energy customers continue to install solar projects in Detroit under a new program that replaces net metering, though advocates say more support should be given for low-income residents and community solar. (Curbed Detroit)
• Three large-scale solar projects totaling nearly 600 MW are proposed in central Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Minnesota’s renewable energy leadership and 50+ exhibitors at MnSEIA’s Gateway Conference, October 21-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Register for MnSEIA’s Solar Tour, robust educational sessions, keynotes, networking, and enter a new era in Minnesota’s solar explosion with us!

Midwest Energy News

Exelon official retires amid federal lobbying investigation

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UTILITIES:
• Top Exelon official Anne Pramaggiore retires as the company receives federal subpoenas connected to its Illinois lobbying activities. (Chicago Sun Times)
• A U.S. bankruptcy judge says he will confirm FirstEnergy Solutions’ bankruptcy plan. (Crain’s Cleveland Business)

NUCLEAR: An engineer at the Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago uses supercomputers to determine what advanced nuclear reactor designs might work. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Minnesota’s renewable energy leadership and 50+ exhibitors at MnSEIA’s Gateway Conference, October 21-22 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Register for MnSEIA’s Solar Tour, robust educational sessions, keynotes, networking, and enter a new era in Minnesota’s solar explosion with us!