CLEAN ENERGY: Ameren tells investors it is “transitioning to a cleaner generation profile” that includes adding 700 MW of wind while bringing coal down to 8% of its rate base by 2024. (S&P Global)
ALSO: Renewables are expected to overtake coal in U.S. power generation earlier than expected as demand shrinks due to the pandemic and natural gas prices remain cheap. (InsideClimate News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship***
EFFICIENCY: St. Louis leads the Midwest with a new energy performance standard that requires large buildings to meet various efficiency targets. (Smart Cities Dive)
PIPELINES:
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers starts a public comment period on Enbridge’s plan to build a tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac for the Line 5 pipeline. (Detroit News)
• A tribe in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula enlists Indigenous and environmental law groups to help with its challenges to the Line 5 pipeline. (WPBN)
TRANSMISSION: Iowa regulators hold a public hearing on a planned 349-mile underground transmission line that would move clean energy from Iowa to the Chicago area. (Bellevue Herald-Leader)
POLICY: Two members of Congress from Michigan join calls to oppose any attempts to give legal immunity to the oil, gas and coal industries in future COVID-19-related legislation. (Michigan Advance)
BIOENERGY: A $400 million renewable diesel plant is planned in southeastern Illinois that will turn waste from the surrounding region into fuel. (WTHI)
OIL & GAS: We Energies continues construction on a high-pressure natural gas line in southeastern Wisconsin as part of a broader effort to improve gas reliability in the region. (Racine Journal Times)
UTILITIES:
• Environmental groups raise concerns about Duke Energy’s plan to rely on coal for the next two decades while adding natural gas pipelines despite the utility’s 2050 net zero carbon pledge. (WBOI)
• DTE Energy is authorized to begin increasing rates this week to help cover the costs of grid modernization and reliability projects. (Associated Press)
• Exelon downgrades its 2020 earnings guidance after pandemic disruptions and warmer than usual winter weather. (Utility Dive)
***SPONSORED LINK: Green Energy Ohio invites you to a virtual conversation about Clean Energy in the Age of Coronavirus, May 21 at noon EDT. Featuring ENN reporter Kathiann Kowalski and Dan Gearino from InsideClimate News. Register today!***
NUCLEAR: Four Exelon nuclear plants in Illinois set record time for refueling outages even while taking place during a pandemic. (Clinton Herald)
COMMENTARY: Consumer advocates say Michigan regulators took a major step forward in a DTE Energy rate case by proposing performance-based regulation in which financial returns are tied to reliability metrics. (Citizens Utility Board of Michigan)