UTILITIES: ComEd is expected to pay a $200 million fine after bribery charges involving lobbying activity with Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Chicago Sun-Times)
ALSO: Top officials at parent company Exelon pledge to hold ComEd executives responsible and change the company’s culture. (Chicago Sun-Times)
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SOLAR:
• Minnesota solar installers say connecting projects to Xcel Energy’s grid is frustratingly slow despite new state interconnection standards. (Energy News Network)
• Indiana utility NIPSCO announces plans for two large solar projects totaling 300 MW. (Inside Indiana Business)
CLEAN ENERGY: Large Indiana oil and gas companies received much more in federal Paycheck Protection Program loans compared to clean energy firms. (Indianapolis Star)
PIPELINES:
• Michigan officials want Enbridge to provide assurances that it would cover the cost of a potential oil spill from Line 5. (MLive)
• Tribes in Michigan say the Line 5 pipeline and proposed tunnel plan threaten their treaty rights in the region that date back nearly 200 years. (MiBiz)
WIND: BP plans to take full ownership of a central Indiana wind project as part of the company’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050. (Houston Chronicle)
RENEWABLES: Researchers say renewable energy development can be cost effective for Indiana as utilities retire coal plants. (Herald Republican)
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OIL & GAS: Due to the pandemic, North Dakota oil production dropped 30% in May to a monthly low not seen in seven years. (Star Tribune)
COMMENTARY:
• A clean energy advocate in Michigan says legislation like the Green New Deal will boost distributed generation to help deal with climate-related stresses. (Lansing State Journal)
• As Illinois looks to rebuild its economy after the pandemic and transition from fossil fuels, environmental advocates say “clean energy is a proven tool for economic stimulus.” (Natural Resources Defense Council)