ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A recent report highlights barriers to buying, financing and charging electric vehicles, which Ohio consumer advocates say shows the need to consider public transit, housing and land use while electrifying transportation. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• A Cleveland suburb seeks financial assistance from a state agency to install two electric vehicle fast-charging stations at a community park. (Cleveland.com)
• General Motors CEO Mary Marra says the company plans to continue leading the pickup truck segment with electrified models: “We’re going to defend our position and we plan to grow it.” (CBS Detroit)
• Kansas is among states grappling with how to replace gasoline tax revenue for road infrastructure amid the shift to electric vehicles. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
SOLAR:
• Wisconsin regulators deadlock on whether to allow third-party financing for solar developers that lease panels to utility customers. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Utility-scale solar projects are generating more power per acre, which could reshape discussions on how much land is needed for a widespread national solar buildout. (InsideClimate News)
• A developer plans to start construction early next year on a 108 MW solar project east of Columbus, Ohio. (Newark Advocate)
PIPELINES: The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe withdraws as a cooperating agency in the ongoing environmental review of the Dakota Access pipeline, citing transparency and oil spill risk concerns. (Bismarck Tribune)
RENEWABLES: Kansas lawmakers hold hearings on GOP-backed legislation that would significantly limit opportunities to develop large-scale wind and solar projects. (Associated Press)
EFFICIENCY:
• DTE Energy will spend $40 million over the next two years to bolster energy efficiency upgrades and help to reduce the energy burden for low-income residents in Detroit. (Utility Dive)
• Grand Rapids, Michigan is the latest city to join a national coalition recently launched by the Biden administration that seeks to reduce emissions through stronger building standards. (MiBiz)
UTILITIES:
• Xcel Energy says it’s on track to reduce emissions 80% by 2030 by adding wind farms, retiring coal and helping to develop a 560-mile clean energy transmission line. (S&P Global)
• Proposed legislation in Nebraska would allow the governor to appoint the CEOs of the Nebraska Public Power District and the Omaha Public Power District. (WOWT)
CLIMATE: Michigan clean energy advocates want the state’s draft climate plan to focus more heavily on housing, transportation and rooftop solar while transitioning to 100% renewables faster. (Bridge Michigan)
STORAGE: Evergy and the Kansas Geological Survey are studying the potential of storing excess electricity from coal plants in underground salt caverns by converting it to hydrogen. (PV Magazine)