SOLAR: Dozens of advocates protested and some testified Wednesday against a plan from Michigan Republicans to eliminate the state’s net metering program. (Associated Press, Midwest Energy News)
ALSO:
• Lawmakers question to what extent rooftop solar customers are being subsidized by other ratepayers. (MLive)
• Consumers Energy will launch its community solar program on dozens of acres at two West Michigan universities. (Detroit Free Press)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join us at the 14th annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fair, August 22 & 23, 2015, at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, Illinois. Speakers, exhibits, children’s activities, music, food.***
OHIO:
• Ohio University gets to work on several of the school’s sustainability goals. (Athens Gazette)
• A never-before-seen power purchase agreement between FirstEnergy and three Ohio utilities complicates a controversial rate change request involving a nuclear and coal plant. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
CLEAN POWER PLAN: A new study shows a regional approach to lowering emissions instead of state-by-state plans could save nearly $1 billion. (Utility Dive)
PHILANTHROPY: The Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation* will hand out $50 million in grants for various climate change initiatives. (ClimateWire)
NUCLEAR: Federal and state lawmakers in Michigan want residents to speak out against a proposed waste storage site near Lake Huron in Canada. (Associated Press)
FRACKING: Less than nine months into the year, Oklahoma already has more earthquakes than it did in 2014. (EnergyWire)
TRANSPORTATION: Michigan lawmakers are still scrambling to come up with a meaningful road-funding deal. (Associated Press)
CNG: The number of compressed natural gas stations in Ohio continues to grow. (Columbus Dispatch)
SOLAR: A Minnesota community considers becoming the first community solar site for SunShare. (Osakis Review)
***SPONSORED LINK: Green Your Ride! The Illinois Solar Energy Association is raffling a 2015 Tesla Model S! Only 2,000 tickets sold. 1 for $100, 4 for $300 www.illinoissolar.org ***
WIND: A local planning board rejects a series of restrictive zoning requirements for wind in Nebraska. (Lincoln Journal Star)
COMMENTARY: Technology is a key driver to developing sustainable energy generation. (Midwest Energy News)
*Editor’s note: The MacArthur Foundation is a funder of Midwest Energy News.