Midwest Energy News

Ohio refinery city joins clean energy coalition

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CLEAN ENERGY: Lima, Ohio — a city long tied to fossil fuel development — joins a statewide coalition that helps connect local governments with resources to facilitate clean energy projects. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Customer and investor demand for renewable energy, along with falling prices, have been key drivers of Wisconsin’s clean energy transition, utility executives say. (Green Bay Press Gazette)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A nonprofit car-sharing program will launch this spring to expand access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure in Minneapolis and St.

Midwest Energy News

Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Minnesota vehicle emission plan

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EMISSIONS: Duluth, Minnesota, continues to reduce emissions from downtown buildings as it expands a redesigned district heating system after converting boilers from coal to natural gas. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit from Minnesota auto dealers against a state agency over proposed rules that would require them to provide a certain number of zero-emission vehicles for sale in the state. (Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Achieve Your Renewable Goals With Geothermal” will be held virtually on March 3, and explore innovative ways for governments, industry, schools, utilities, and homeowners to use geothermal heat pumps to meet their renewable energy goals. There is no cost to attend. Register today.***

OHIO:
• A federal judge accepts a felony racketeering guilty plea from a political action committee connected to the scandal involving the state’s power plant bailout law.

Midwest Energy News

Indiana lawmakers advance renewable siting, coal financing bills

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POLICY: Indiana lawmakers advance bills to standardize renewable energy regulations and provide financing for coal plant closures, though clean energy and consumer advocates have concerns about both bills. (Energy News Network)

POLITICS: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan resigns after 50 years in office and amid a federal corruption investigation involving utility ComEd. (Chicago Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join MEEA and fellow industry leaders and innovators at the 2021 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, happening virtually Feb. 16-19. Stay connected, create important business opportunities and expand your knowledge of EE policy, programs, innovations and more.

Midwest Energy News

Michigan gas plant would add ozone to high pollution area, advocates say

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OHIO: FirstEnergy now says a $4 million payment to a former consultant turned state regulator “may have been for purposes other than those represented within the consulting agreement.” (Cleveland.com)

ALSO:
• Two Republican state representatives introduce legislation to repeal the state’s power plant subsidy law at the center of a corruption investigation. (LimaOhio.com)
• The state Senate passes a bill to eliminate a provision in HB 6 that guarantees FirstEnergy $978 million in annual revenue under a decoupling provision. (Cleveland.com)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join MEEA and fellow industry leaders and innovators at the 2021 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, happening virtually Feb. 16-19. Stay connected, create important business opportunities and expand your knowledge of EE policy, programs, innovations and more.

Midwest Energy News

Des Moines seeks leverage to push utility on clean energy

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UTILITIES: Des Moines, Iowa, officials will need to work closely with and push MidAmerican Energy on renewable energy and storage to meet the city’s ambitious clean energy target, experts say. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: A case in Minnesota pits Xcel Energy against environmental groups in a debate about the role of natural gas in the utility’s transition to net-zero emissions. (Inside Climate News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join MEEA and fellow industry leaders and innovators at the 2021 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, happening virtually Feb. 16-19. Stay connected, create important business opportunities and expand your knowledge of EE policy, programs, innovations and more.