CARBON CAPTURE: The developer of a Midwest carbon dioxide pipeline has secured less than 2% of land easements needed in Iowa, raising questions about progress on the $4.5 billion project. (Reuters)
OHIO: Prior to recusing himself from four FirstEnergy-related regulatory cases, an Ohio administrative law judge limited access to documents and information sought in an investigation of the utility’s HB 6 scandal. (Energy News Network)
NUCLEAR: Wisconsin utility Dairyland Power Cooperative explores the potential of adding small-scale nuclear generation to its supply mix. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
SOLAR:
• Developers formally submit plans to state regulators for a 400 MW solar project just west of Columbus, Ohio. (Circleville Herald)
• The construction timeline for a planned 2,200-acre mid-Michigan solar project is pushed out for another year. (Greenville Daily News)
PIPELINES: The premier of Alberta province pushes the Biden administration to revive negotiations and restart construction on the Keystone XL pipeline to replace Russian oil imports. (Business Insider)
CLEAN ENERGY: U.S. companies have accelerated their extraction and mining plans in the year since President Biden signed an executive order to bolster U.S. production of key minerals needed for clean energy projects. (S&P Global)
WIND: Proposed Kansas legislation would require wind turbines to be equipped with light mitigation technology in compliance with federal aviation regulations. (KOAM)
TRANSPORTATION: The Biden administration announces $2.2 billion in pandemic relief funding for 35 financially strapped transit agencies in 18 states, including $51 million for Indianapolis’ public transit agency. (Indianapolis Business Journal)
OIL & GAS:
• Two of North Dakota’s largest shale producers will merge in a $6 billion deal after both filed for bankruptcy protection in 2020. (Reuters)
• Indiana Republicans say they are not considering lowering or suspending the state’s gasoline tax as prices tick higher amid global disruptions. (WISH)
UTILITIES:
• Staff at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio recommend freezing AES Ohio’s requested distribution rate increase. (Dayton Daily News)
• Rising natural gas prices are contributing to an increase in requests for utility bill payment assistance in Iowa, state officials report. (Radio Iowa)
COMMENTARY:
• Leadership at Michigan’s largest municipal utility is prioritizing its public image over public safety by withholding information about groundwater contamination from coal ash, an editorial board writes. (Lansing City Pulse)
• The anticipated closure of roughly 20 U.S. nuclear plants in the coming years could bring drastic economic consequences to the rural communities where they’re located without proper planning, land use advocates say. (Daily Yonder)