ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A proposed utility pilot program would help northern Minnesota’s iron and taconite mines acquire heavy duty electric vehicles. (Energy News Network)
COAL: Critics say the U.S. EPA is prematurely declaring that Missouri’s largest coal plant is meeting air quality standards because owner Ameren hasn’t installed air monitoring equipment. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
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UTILITIES: A lawyer files an emergency motion seeking for ComEd’s $200 million settlement over bribery allegations to go to ratepayers rather than the federal treasury. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
PIPELINES: The administration of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is facing increased pressure ahead of a deadline this week to try to overturn the approval of the Line 3 replacement project. (MPR News)
OHIO:
• Clean energy advocates say the power plant bribery scandal unfolding in Ohio helps explain stalled clean energy policies in the state despite strong public support. (NPR)
• A poll commissioned to support Ohio’s nuclear plant bailout law provides a window into the strategy supporters used during efforts to repeal the law last year. (Cleveland.com)
SOLAR:
• Habitat for Humanity in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, is installing solar panels on its facilities to produce energy savings that can be directed to home-building projects and low-income residents. (LaCrosse Tribune)
• Construction begins on two major solar projects in northwestern Illinois. (Telegraph Herald, subscription)
• Environmental groups and a Purdue University researcher praise an Indiana county’s ordinance requiring pollinator habitat at a major solar project. (Muncie Star Press)
• Ohio county officials debate whether to participate in a program that locks in power prices under solar contracts. (Times Leader)
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OIL & GAS: North Dakota oil production recovered slightly in June but was still near historic lows as a result of the pandemic. (Star Tribune)
COMMENTARY:
• A crisis is unfolding in Missouri as utilities resume disconnections and delinquent bills come due, an editorial board writes. (Kansas City Star)
• An engineer with an Ohio company that supplies components for wind turbines says greater efficiencies and cost declines will help further the industry’s growth. (Canton Repository)
• A northern Michigan retailer says the Line 5 pipeline poses an ongoing, direct threat to the Great Lakes while a proposed tunnel poses additional ecological and climate concerns. (Traverse City Record-Eagle)