OHIO: City officials in Cincinnati and Columbus file a lawsuit alleging the state’s power plant subsidy law is an “unconstitutional tax” and seek a restraining order from imposing fees on ratepayers. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
PIPELINES:
• A tribal group asks Minnesota regulators to investigate Enbridge’s recent pipeline capacity additions, arguing a Line 3 replacement and expansion project is no longer necessary. (Star Tribune)
• Environmental groups opposing a proposed Line 5 tunnel say a Michigan agency’s hiring of an outside expert to review the project is a good first step. (WCMU)
UTILITIES:
• DTE Energy plans to spin off its natural gas pipeline and storage business into a separate publicly traded company in a move expected to benefit shareholders. (Detroit Free Press)
• A western Minnesota municipal utility announces its electric system will be carbon free by Jan. 1 through hydroelectric, wind, solar and nuclear power contracts. (Inforum)
• An Ameren official says the “time is right” to plan for net-zero carbon emissions given the declining costs of clean energy and rising costs of coal. (Daily Energy Insider)
NUCLEAR: Ameren plans to seek a license renewal to extend the life of a Missouri nuclear plant, which the company says will play a key role in its net-zero carbon plan. (News Tribune)
SOLAR:
• An administrative law judge proposes that Michigan regulators conduct a value of solar study to determine the rate at which Consumers Energy solar-generating customers should be compensated for excess power. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
• About $81 million in local taxes is expected to be paid over 30 years from a planned 375 MW solar project in northwestern Ohio. (Lima News)
• First Solar has continued to increase orders and advance projects in the U.S. based on rising demand while avoiding supply chain risks in China. (S&P Global)
• Local officials approve plans for a 3 MW MidAmerican Energy solar project in eastern Iowa. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
• A southwestern Michigan school district expects to save $5 million over the 25-year lifespan of solar installations planned next month. (MLive)
WIND:
• Construction is completed on a 130 MW wind project in eastern Indiana. (ReNews)
• A manufacturer is investigating after a turbine blade breaks off at a Nebraska wind project less than 24 hours after being installed. (News Channel Nebraska)
COMMENTARY: A longtime energy consultant and regulatory staffer says efforts to revive the coal industry are “nostalgia, not serious policy.” (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)