CLIMATE: Since its first climate action plan in 2008, Chicago has continued to fall short of emission-reduction and other environmental goals over the span of three mayoral administrations, a DePaul University analysis finds. (WTTW)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• President Biden’s visit today to a new electric vehicle factory in Detroit will spotlight federal spending proposals to help transition older Midwestern auto factories and the communities that depend on them. (Reuters)
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs into law a package of incentives that’s meant to boost electric vehicle production in the state. (Chicago Tribune)
• Ameren still has $5 million in incentives available for business customers looking to install electric vehicle charging stations. (St. Louis Business Journal)
OIL & GAS:
• Authorities are investigating the cause of, and continue to clean up, a spill of about 6,300 gallons of crude oil and 12,600 gallons of produced water in North Dakota. (Inforum)
• Pipeline developers are eyeing North Dakota’s new $150 million fund created from federal pandemic relief to expand natural gas service, though it remains unclear how the funding will be distributed. (Bismarck Tribune)
• North Dakota oil production increased slightly in September as state officials note prices are “very, very strong.” (S&P Global)
OHIO:
• Amid its bankruptcy, FirstEnergy Solutions officials knew about plans to give $40 million to a nonprofit involved in the state’s power plant bailout bribery scheme. (Energy and Policy Institute)
• A federal bankruptcy judge in Ohio officially closes the FirstEnergy Solutions bankruptcy case after approving more than $65 million in legal fees and $2.7 million in expenses. (RTO Insider, subscription)
PIPELINES: A federal judge denies Michigan’s request to move its lawsuit seeking the closure of Line 5 to a state court in a setback for pipeline opponents. (Detroit News)
RENEWABLES: County officials in northwestern Ohio meet with townships to determine whether prohibited areas should be created to restrict wind and solar development. (LimaOhio.com)
EFFICIENCY: Indiana researchers will partner with AT&T to incorporate new energy efficiency technology to improve industrial manufacturing. (Centered)
WIND: NIPSCO and EDP Renewables unveil a new 302 MW wind project in northwestern Indiana. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
GRID: An American Electric Power official joins other utility executives in encouraging grid planners to identify “renewable energy zones” and plan transmission lines to meet those areas and help meet future needs. (Utility Dive)