UTILITIES: Des Moines, Iowa, officials will need to work closely with and push MidAmerican Energy on renewable energy and storage to meet the city’s ambitious clean energy target, experts say. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: A case in Minnesota pits Xcel Energy against environmental groups in a debate about the role of natural gas in the utility’s transition to net-zero emissions. (Inside Climate News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join MEEA and fellow industry leaders and innovators at the 2021 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, happening virtually Feb. 16-19. Stay connected, create important business opportunities and expand your knowledge of EE policy, programs, innovations and more. Register today.***
STORAGE: A microgrid project on Chicago’s South Side is a model for some community members’ plans to work with ComEd on local clean energy projects. (Energy News Network)
SOLAR:
• WEC Energy Group and Madison Gas and Electric file a joint application to purchase a $426 million, 310 MW solar-plus-storage project under development in southeastern Wisconsin. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• A Missouri solar installer says customer interest has grown as rolling blackouts drive ratepayers to consider self-owned generation. (News-Press Now)
OHIO:
• FirstEnergy says it will stop collecting customer fees associated with energy efficiency programs as a way to build back confidence in the company following the HB 6 scandal. (Cleveland.com)
• Cleveland officials plan to sue FirstEnergy over alleged efforts to undermine the city’s electric utility. (Cleveland.com)
GRID:
• Parts of Iowa experienced rolling blackouts this week, though state officials said there is enough electricity and natural gas to meet demand. (Radio Iowa)
• North Dakota rural electric cooperatives contend with rolling blackouts ordered by grid operators as cold weather strains power supplies. (Bismarck Tribune)
• FedEx and General Motors are among major companies that temporarily shut operations as cold weather caused power outages and gas shortages. (Reuters)
CLIMATE: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ latest budget proposal includes dozens of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy and prepare the state for more extreme weather. (Wisconsin State Journal)
OIL & GAS:
• A Missouri municipal utility activates a propane-powered backup system to boost natural gas pressure on its system as demand peaks. (Springfield News-Leader)
• Local officials in central Illinois urge residents to conserve natural gas to prevent sharp cost increases. (Journal Star)
• Ratepayer advocates say Peoples Gas customers in Chicago are now paying about 10 times the original monthly estimates to replace the company’s deteriorating gas distribution infrastructure. (Chicago Sun-Times)
WIND: Consumers Energy begins operating a 166 MW wind project in southern Michigan. (MLive)
***SPONSORED LINK: Register now for Grid Evolution Midwest, held virtually Feb. 22-23. Get valuable insights into rate design, regulation, electrification, and other topics that matter to Midwesterners, and build your regional network.***
BIOGAS: Illinois county officials approve plans for a $45 million renewable natural gas plant at a county-owned landfill. (Bioenergy Insight)
COMMENTARY:
• Electric vehicle manufacturing is taking over in parts of Ohio and “creating new opportunities for economic development and innovation,” writes a Republican state senator. (Mahoning Matters)
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker can take bold climate and environmental justice action by supporting the Clean Energy Jobs Act, advocates say. (Natural Resources Defense Council)