ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ford expects 40% of its global sales to be battery electric vehicles by 2030, though much of the target will come from Europe. (Associated Press)
ALSO:
• A key question remains as Ford unveils its electric F-150 truck: Will traditional truck buyers be willing to switch to electric? (Inside Climate News)
• A U.S. Senate committee advances legislation to boost electric vehicle tax credits to $12,500 for vehicles assembled by U.S. union workers. (Reuters)
***SPONSORED LINK: Vote Solar is hiring a Regional Director to lead their legislative campaigns and support their regulatory work in Michigan and Minnesota. Location flexible but preference given to applicants rooted in either state. Applications due June 7.***
SOLAR:
• The Indiana NAACP urges utilities to offer community solar projects that allow customers to invest in solar if they’re unable to install it themselves. (WBOI)
• Developers release plans for a 150 MW solar project in northern Indiana. (South Bend Tribune)
• Developers say a 2 MW community solar project that just came online in southern Illinois will help reduce subscribers’ electric bills. (WSIU)
OHIO: FirstEnergy and a key official involved in an alleged bribery scheme argue in separate court proceedings that their actions were legal, though they don’t deny that money flowed to help pass the state’s power plant subsidy law. (Associated Press)
WIND: A Nebraska developer files a complaint with federal regulators over grid operator Southwest Power Pool’s multi-million dollar increase in interconnection charges for a Missouri wind project. (Utility Dive)
POLITICS: The former chief of staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is indicted on charges of lying to a federal grand jury investigating allegations of bribery by ComEd. (Chicago Tribune)
NUCLEAR: Three Democratic U.S. senators plan to introduce a measure that would provide relief for existing nuclear plants as part of a broader energy tax reform bill. (Reuters)
PIPELINES:
• More than 300 groups sign a letter urging President Biden to stop construction on and shut down the Line 3 pipeline in northern Minnesota. (Common Dreams)
• The future of Line 5 remains uncertain after a recent week of legal and political threats between pipeline supporters and opponents. (WDET)
UTILITIES: Michigan regulators approve a transfer of ownership for an Upper Peninsula utility, which company officials say will lead to more renewable energy investments. (WLUC)
OIL & GAS: Analysts expect Bakken natural gas production volumes to dip substantially during the summer. (S&P Global)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition via Fresh Energy is hiring for a Manager of Building Policy and Technology consultant to support policy and technology solutions. Apply before June 1.***
EFFICIENCY: Michigan officials announce dozens of grants totaling nearly $500,000 to help local entities invest in energy efficiency projects. (WLUC)
COMMENTARY:
• Iowa should “double down on its commitment to wind, solar and biomass” as clean energy demand grows, particularly among corporations, an editorial board says. (Storm Lake Times)
• Varying interests need to find common ground in the coming days to pass comprehensive clean energy legislation in Illinois, an editorial board says. (Chicago Sun-Times)