PIPELINES: Enbridge has partially reopened the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac after shutting it down due to “significant damage” to an anchor support. (Detroit News, Bridge Magazine)
ALSO:
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she was “taken aback to learn the company has unilaterally resumed operation … without even opportunity for discussion.” (Bridge Magazine)
• The U.S. EPA last week fined Enbridge $6.7 million for what it called an inadequate response to damage to its Midwest pipeline system. (Detroit Free Press)
***SPONSORED LINK: Center Out: A Strategy for Climate Success will be hosted by the Great Plains Institute on June 25. Join the conversation about how the Midwest can lead the clean energy transformation. Click here for more and to RSVP.***
GEOTHERMAL: A heat exchange technology developed at the University of Minnesota could help shrink the cost and footprint of geothermal systems by tapping into aquifers. (Energy News Network)
WIND: Wildlife concerns have been a barrier to offshore wind in Lake Erie, but a developer says they’re unable to gather actual data without a pilot project. (Washington Post)
RENEWABLES: Some local officials in Iowa say rules under consideration by state utility regulators would increase eminent domain capabilities for renewable energy projects. (NWestIowa.com)
UTILITIES:
• Environmental groups criticize Vectren’s long-term energy plan for keeping open a 230 MW coal plant and adding 460 MW of natural gas. (Associated Press)
• The city utility in Bowling Green, Ohio, will resume utility disconnections next month while allowing payment plans for customers. (Sentinel-Tribune)
COAL:
• The remaining demolition and redevelopment of a former coal plant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood will occur in the coming weeks, the developer says. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Though U.S. power generation is down 5.4% this year due to the pandemic, coal’s share has shrunk nearly 20%, according to a report from Moody’s. (Platts)
• Coal plant closings have accelerated under President Trump compared to the second term of President Obama, despite Trump’s rhetoric about reviving the industry. (E&E News, subscription)
SOLAR:
• Proposed zoning regulations in a western Indiana county would restrict the location and height of utility-scale solar projects. (Crawfordsville Journal Review)
• Construction begins on a 20 MW solar project in southeastern Michigan. (Monroe News)
COMMENTARY:
• A Republican state senator from Indiana says the state should pursue clean energy job creation to help rebound from the pandemic. (Indianapolis Star)
• A just transition from coal in Indiana includes supporting communities that have been disproportionately affected by coal pollution, a columnist says. (NUVO)
CORRECTION: An item in Friday’s digest about Dan Brouillette’s comments on wind energy linked to the wrong story. The correct link is here.