ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors announces a deal giving it a $2 billion stake in electric truck maker Nikola that will eventually reduce costs for both companies and help GM commercialize its EV technology. (Detroit Free Press)
COAL: The Trump administration’s rollback of regulations involving pollutants from coal plants will likely benefit a major Wisconsin power plant along Lake Michigan. (Chicago Tribune)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Rise Up! podcast brings real-time, relevant energy and policy information to Midwest stakeholders through an engaging and entertaining medium. Episode 4: “Credit Where Credit is Due” with special guest Andy Johnson is out now! #RiseUpMidwest***
SOLAR:
• County officials in northwestern Indiana advance regulations for commercial-scale solar projects on agricultural land. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
• Local officials approve plans for a nearly 2.5 MW solar project on a former landfill in northern Illinois, due largely to its proximity to grid infrastructure. (Chicago Tribune)
• The Ohio Power Siting Board sets a hearing for next month on a planned 200 MW solar project in southern Ohio. (WCMH)
OHIO: Resolving the dispute over Ohio’s power plant bailout law at the center of a bribery scandal is among the top agenda items for new House Speaker and longtime lawmaker Bob Cupp. (Cleveland.com)
PIPELINES: U.S. Coast Guard officials say vessels contracted by Enbridge likely damaged the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac earlier this year. (Detroit News)
POLITICS: Potential shifts in the makeup of state legislatures in Michigan and Minnesota after the November election could bolster clean energy efforts. (S&P Global)
OIL & GAS: The U.S. EPA plans to fine a Michigan oil and gas company nearly $75,000 for keeping inaccurate records on injection well operations. (MLive)
***SPONSORED LINK: LEARN SOMETHING NEW! Subscribe to the Speaking of Resilience podcast featuring Midwest leaders on clean energy policy and business. Gain insight on how our region can lead a just transition to a net zero economy while bringing jobs and investment. https://www.miclimateaction.org/podcast_midwest.***
UTILITIES: Alliant Energy is recognized by a trade publication as a top company in its sector for economic development, including for $1.2 billion in capital investments in Wisconsin and Iowa last year. (WisBusiness)
COMMENTARY:
• A Michigan trade group representing petroleum companies and convenience stores says a tunnel for the Line 5 pipeline is needed for “reliability and certainty.” (Bridge Magazine)
• Several Midwest states are exploring performance-based regulations for utilities, which remains among top trends in the power sector, according to an advanced energy trade group. (Greentech Media)