NOTE TO READERS: The Energy News Network will be taking a two-week break for the holidays. Midwest Energy News will return on Monday, January 4. Thank you for your support this year!

SOLAR: Ohio’s solar market is booming because of inexpensive land and high corporate renewable energy demand and despite years of hostility toward renewables from policymakers. (Inside Climate News)

ALSO:
• A northern Wisconsin public utility advances plans to build a community solar project, which would be its first new generation project in decades. (Superior Telegram)
• McClean County in central Illinois is the state’s leading renewable energy producer and has attracted particular interest from solar developers. (WJBC)
• An Illinois school district considers installing solar on district buildings to help lower utility costs. (Journal Courier)

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POLITICS: Records show that Michigan utilities donated more than $50,000 to intra-party rivals of a Democratic lawmaker who was critical of the companies, which advocates say shows how industries strategically target campaign donations to influence the legislature. (Energy News Network)

POLICY:
• Ohio lawmakers extend their year-end lame-duck session after failing to reach an agreement on several bills, including whether to delay the state’s power plant subsidy law. (Cleveland.com)
• President-elect Joe Biden formally announces his plan to nominate former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as energy secretary. (Detroit News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Wisconsin regulators vote 2-1 to create a framework for voluntary utility electric vehicle plans. (Wisconsin State Journal)

UTILITIES: Michigan regulators approve a $134 million rate increase for Consumers Energy to support grid infrastructure spending and improving reliability. (Detroit News)

BIOFUELS: U.S. biofuel producers seeking federal relief will shift their focus from Congress to presumptive incoming Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. (E&E News, subscription)

COMMENTARY:
• Grid infrastructure investments that favor distributed generation and non-wires alternatives will be key for Michigan to achieve ambitious emission-reduction targets, an advanced energy group says. (Energy News Network)
Minnesota, Michigan and Illinois have each made gains in clean energy policy and development despite the challenges of 2020, advocates say. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
• Business advocates say Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine should nominate a new Public Utilities Commission member “who will lead with integrity and vision for the future.” (Crain’s Cleveland Business)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.