Midwest Energy News

Indiana business group rejects Pruitt’s coal-lobbying efforts

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SOLAR: Iowa pork producers emerge as a politically potent opponent to utility efforts to scale back rooftop solar incentives as lawmakers remain divided over the proposal. (Energy News Network, Iowa Public Radio)

ALSO: A group of Indianapolis residents form the city’s first solar cooperative. (Inside Indiana Business)

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COAL:
• The Indiana Chamber of Commerce rejects pleas from former U.S. EPA head Scott Pruitt to support legislation that keeps coal plants open.

Midwest Energy News

Illinois law streamlines wind energy zoning rules

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WIND: Citing planning delays, a developer cancels plans for a large wind project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs a bill streamlining zoning for wind projects, leaving decisions to counties and municipalities instead of townships. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join a dynamic and growing organization that works to deliver Midwest renewable energy through policy, technical, and regulatory avenues. Clean Grid Alliance is hiring a Vice President—State Policy to be part of our team. Learn more and apply today!***

RENEWABLES: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s plan to achieve 100 percent carbon-free power by 2050 poses cost and technological challenges.

Midwest Energy News

Missouri lawmakers take aim at transmission project

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TRANSMISSION: The Missouri House passes legislation to prohibit the use of eminent domain for the Grain Belt Express wind transmission project, which developers say would halt the plan. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Nebraska lawmakers advance a bill that could make it harder to install wind energy transmission lines on private property if landowners object. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join a dynamic and growing organization that works to deliver Midwest renewable energy through policy, technical, and regulatory avenues. Clean Grid Alliance is hiring a Vice President—State Policy to be part of our team. Learn more and apply today!***

WIND:
• An Ohio cement plant signs a long-term agreement for wind energy as the company and others seek to reduce carbon emissions for an energy-intensive sector.

Midwest Energy News

FirstEnergy says closing nuclear plants would harm customers more

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NUCLEAR:
• FirstEnergy officials tell state lawmakers that closing two nuclear plants in Ohio would increase electric bills and emissions. (Toledo Blade)
• Critics say the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission isn’t doing enough to require nuclear plant owners to take preventative measures as climate change risks worsen. (Bloomberg)

EFFICIENCY:
• Some city officials in ComEd’s service territory are still wary about the upfront cost of replacing streetlights with LEDs despite financial incentives and long-term energy savings. (Energy News Network)
• The Nebraska Energy Office offers low-interest loans for energy efficiency improvements at homes and farms, regardless of whether the properties were affected by recent flooding. (Omaha World-Herald)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join a dynamic and growing organization that works to deliver Midwest renewable energy through policy, technical, and regulatory avenues. Clean Grid Alliance is hiring a Vice President—State Policy to be part of our team.

Midwest Energy News

FirstEnergy has spent millions to influence policy in Ohio

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OHIO: As state lawmakers consider subsidies for the FirstEnergy’s power plants, the company has spent millions of dollars on campaign contributions, lobbying, and public relations in Ohio since 2017. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

ALSO:
• Ohio lawmakers begin considering the emissions benefits of maintaining uneconomic nuclear plants, acknowledging that a bailout for FirstEnergy’s plants is the “white elephant in the room.” (Columbus Dispatch)
• AARP Ohio tells lawmakers it strongly opposes any efforts to require electric ratepayers to subsidize uneconomic power plants. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join a dynamic and growing organization that works to deliver Midwest renewable energy through policy, technical, and regulatory avenues. Clean Grid Alliance is hiring a Vice President—State Policy to be part of our team. Learn more and apply today!***

PIPELINES: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer does not rule out the potential for an underground tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac as she reopens discussions with Enbridge.