COAL: American Electric Power says it will buy out co-investors in order to close the Rockport coal plant in southern Indiana by 2028. (Indiana Public Radio)
ALSO:
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers orders contractors to clean up debris that was left in an Ohio river after a recent coal plant demolition. (WCPO)
• The federal government could tap $38 billion in existing funding to help revitalize coal-dependent communities, according to a new report delivered to President Biden. (Reuters)
***SPONSORED LINK: The 16th annual Advancing Renewables Conference will be held May 18-19 noon-5 p.m. At this virtual event, industry leaders will address current topics in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Join us at the forefront of renewable energy! http://advancingrenewables.com/ ***
TRANSPORTATION: Ohio’s 61 public transit services face short- and long-term challenges after pandemic-related ridership declines and ongoing underfunding. (Energy News Network)
POLICY: Multiple competing clean energy proposals have emerged in Illinois in recent months with environmentalists, organized labor and utilities backing their own favored plans. (The Pantagraph)
RENEWABLES:
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announces a goal to power all state-owned facilities with renewable energy by 2025. (Bridge Michigan)
• Local officials in Illinois approve a new three-year energy aggregation agreement that will boost the city’s supply of renewable energy. (WGIL)
• A Wisconsin elementary school is the first in the state to be carbon neutral with solar panels and no consumable fuel onsite. (Spectrum News)
PIPELINES:
• The Dakota Access pipeline developer highlights support from leaders with the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation for keeping the pipeline operating. (Bismarck Tribune)
• The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe disputes the developer’s claim that shutting down the pipeline would cause significant economic harm. (Associated Press)
• Canadian officials are using several diplomatic tactics to oppose Michigan officials’ attempt to shut down the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. (Reuters)
• Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says Native American rights should be considered amid the Line 3 pipeline debate and that the administration prefers pipelines used to move hydrogen or carbon emissions. (E&E News, subscription)
SOLAR:
• A developer promises hundreds of construction jobs and millions of dollars in local revenue under plans for a 1,500-acre solar project in Ohio. (Dayton Daily News)
• Local officials approve an agreement over direct payments to local schools and governments from a planned 108 MW solar project in Ohio. (Newark Advocate)
GEOTHERMAL: A Nebraska farmer uses geothermal energy to heat a greenhouse and grow citrus year-round. (Yale Climate Connections)
UTILITIES: Two Nebraska electric cooperatives join others in buying out their contracts and leaving their regional wholesale electricity supplier. (The Journal)
GRID: Nebraska Public Power District plans to inspect nearly 11,000 utility poles this year to ensure reliable distribution and transmission. (Grand Island Independent)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join Renew Missouri for its webinar “The Deep Freeze: SPP, Texas, and What to Do (and Not Do) in the Future” with Kevin Gunn of Paladin Energy on April 26th at 1:30pm. Only $75 with an hour of Missouri CLE credit. (KS pending. Others by request.) Sign up today! ***
NUCLEAR: An event in Missouri this week will bring together experts to discuss the future role of nuclear power to help curb U.S. carbon emissions. (Rolla Daily News)
COMMENTARY: Among several proposed clean energy bills in Illinois, the Clean Energy Jobs Act is the only one that would mitigate climate change, expand clean energy and ensure a just transition for coal communities, clean energy advocates say. (Union of Concerned Scientists)