EMISSIONS: A Michigan pilot program to sell carbon offsets based on state forest conservation faces skepticism from environmental justice advocates who worry the credits will be used to prolong pollution from fossil fuel power plants. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: Wisconsin power plants would no longer have to further reduce emissions under the U.S. EPA’s proposal to change regulations on air pollution that crosses state lines. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
***SPONSORED LINK: The University of Minnesota Law, Policy, and Business Conference on Equity and Electrification of Transportation, Friday, October 23, from 10 am – 2:30 pm, will discuss broader reforms to our transportation systems through the lens of law, policy, and business. Register here. ***
COAL:
• Robert Murray announces his retirement as chairman of American Consolidated Natural Resources Holdings, concluding a 63-year career in the coal industry. (Wheeling News-Register)
• An Indiana task force is examining securitization as a way to guard against increased costs for ratepayers as coal plants are retired early. (Indiana Public Media)
OHIO:
• The fired consultant who helped launch a federal investigation into FirstEnergy accused the utility of retaliating against him as a whistleblower. (Cleveland.com)
• Republicans plan to resume HB 6 hearings after the November election with an apparent consensus that a replacement bill should keep most of the law’s provisions but include stricter auditing measures. (Associated Press)
NUCLEAR: A coalition of labor unions issues a clean energy policy proposal that includes subsidies for all of Exelon’s Illinois nuclear plants. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
PIPELINES:
• American Indian tribes ask a federal judge to clarify an overturned ruling that ordered the Dakota Access pipeline to cease operations to satisfy the appellate judges who reversed it. (Bismarck Tribune)
• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources approves two permits for the Line 3 pipeline involving a wetlands crossing and water use. (KNSI)
SOLAR: Minnesota solar companies have filed 120 complaints with Minnesota regulators against Xcel Energy related to delays for grid connections, but businesses continue to pursue solar. (Star Tribune)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: An international group led by Honda and General Motors is developing a blockchain for electric vehicle grid integration that could serve as a foundation for decentralized EV charging. (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIFICATION: All-electric, single-family homes are more cost-efficient and have smaller carbon footprints than those powered by a mix of electricity and natural gas, according to an updated study by the Rocky Mountain Institute. (E&E News, subscription)
UTILITIES: A long-time Ameren Illinois official announces his retirement after 42 years with the company that started as a meter reader. (Alton Telegraph)
CLEAN ENERGY: A renovated visitors center and administration building near Detroit named after Edsel and Eleanor Ford will use solar panels and various efficiency measures to produce more power than it consumes. (Detroit Free Press)
COMMENTARY:
• Indianapolis’ utility should take immediate action to close its “superpolluter” Petersburg coal plant, says the vice president of the Indianapolis City-County Council. (Indianapolis Star)
• Recent oil market trends and the ongoing negative externalities associated with fossil fuels raise doubts about Enbridge’s investment in an underground tunnel for the Line 5 pipeline, a clean energy consultant says. (Bridge Michigan)