UTILITIES: Critics in Michigan say a DTE Energy executive compensation mechanism incentivizes the prolonged use of fossil fuel plants while such incentives should be linked to decarbonization. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• The Omaha Public Power District is moving too quickly to build backup natural gas power plants while stalling on solar development, critics say. (Energy News Network)
• DTE Energy is reportedly considering selling off its natural gas pipelines and other non-utility operations. (Bloomberg)

***SPONSORED LINK: MnSEIA’s 7th annual Gateway to Solar conference is next week! Join us Oct. 12-13 for a SEIA State Chapter Roundtable, keynotes such as Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota State Legislators, D&I training for energy professionals, and much more.***

COAL:
• At least two companies express interest in buying the Coal Creek power plant in North Dakota — scheduled to close in 2022 — along with an accompanying transmission line to Minnesota. (Bismarck Tribune)
• The Energy Information Administration predicts a rise in coal generation and energy-sector carbon emissions next year. (Utility Dive)

WIND:
• Clean energy advocates see room for wind energy growth in Iowa that could double the roughly 9,000 wind-sector jobs already there over the next decade. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• A 103 MW wind project is now operational in western South Dakota. (Rapid City Journal)

OHIO:
• A former Ohio legislature candidate files a $1 million defamation lawsuit against former House Speaker Larry Householder, FirstEnergy and others allegedly involved in a bribery scheme. (Cleveland.com)
• A Republican state lawmaker says most legislators were unaware about the workings of an alleged bribery scheme to pass a bill subsidizing nuclear and coal plants. (Athens News)

POWER PLANTS:
• Ongoing coal and nuclear plant closures in the Midwest are expected to provide more opportunity for gas-fired generation. (S&P Global)
• Ohio State University officials defend plans for a natural gas-powered combined heat and power plant after criticism that the school should rely more on renewables. (The Lantern)
• New natural gas plants planned in the PJM Interconnection face a growing list of headwinds that have resulted in delays for several projects. (Utility Dive)

RENEWABLES: Columbus, Ohio, voters will decide next month whether to approve an energy aggregation program through AEP that would quickly boost the city’s renewable energy supply. (Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Start Your Day with CGA on October 9! Join us for a conversation with Miranda Ballentine, CEO, REBA, on Delivering a Renewable Energy Future and Transforming the Energy Marketplace for C&I Customers. INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ARE FREE! Click here to Register.***

POLITICS: Indiana gubernatorial candidates vary widely on issues involving climate change and clean energy. (Indianapolis Star)

OIL & GAS: A U.S. government watchdog agency criticizes the Trump administration for COVID-19 relief given to oil and gas companies that fails to show how much was given or if it benefits taxpayers. (Associated Press)

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.