ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors is expected to announce a $6.5 billion investment this week in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing at two Michigan sites, according to sources. (Detroit News)
ALSO: Federal electric vehicle tax credits that remain in limbo after stalled progress on President Biden’s Build Back Better plan creates demand uncertainty for producers like Rivian, experts say. (Journal Gazette)
UTILITIES: Xcel Energy maintains that two natural gas peaking plants are needed to maintain reliability in Minnesota, pitting the utility against clean energy groups who say battery storage could accomplish the same goals. (Star Tribune)
PIPELINES:
• Documents show Enbridge has used a tracking system to identify Indigenous-led groups that pose a challenge to the company’s construction plans along Line 3 and Line 5 pipeline routes. (The Intercept)
• A North Dakota judge refuses to delay the release of thousands of documents related to security measures taken during Dakota Access pipeline protests. (Bismarck Tribune)
TRANSMISSION:
• After receiving siting approvals in Missouri, Indiana and Kansas, the Grain Belt Express transmission line developer begins the state regulatory approval process in Illinois. (WLDS)
• Wisconsin lawmakers propose legislation that would give incumbent utilities the exclusive rights to build new transmission projects, which follows similar legislation passed in Michigan late last year. (Wisconsin State Journal)
SOLAR:
• Residents express support and opposition to a proposed 465 MW solar project in Dane County, Wisconsin, which would be the largest in the state. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
• Nebraska landowners file a court challenge seeking to overturn the local approval of a planned 250 MW solar project near Lincoln. (Lincoln Journal Star)
• Ameren continues construction on a 1.2 MW solar canopy project at an entertainment venue in southeastern Missouri. (Southeast Missourian)
CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan could see $7.70 in public benefits for every $1 invested in clean energy, according to a new report released by clean energy advocates. (Holland Sentinel)
OIL & GAS: A Michigan legislator wants to pass a law prohibiting natural gas utilities from charging customers for gas that leaks or is otherwise lost from the pipeline and distribution system. (Michigan Radio)
CLIMATE:
• The University of Wisconsin is set to launch the Midwest Climate Collaborative this week that will form a regional response to address climate change. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Indiana environmental groups express frustration over a lack of action from state lawmakers on multiple climate-related bills. (Indianapolis Star)
BIOENERGY: An Ohio township plans to petition the state Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn a lower court ruling that a biodigester is exempt from local planning rules. (Dayton Daily News)
COMMENTARY:
• A recent audit that could not determine whether FirstEnergy used a ratepayer grid modernization charge for grid investments is another example of Ohio’s broken energy regulatory structure, an editorial board says. (Cleveland.com)
• Major Michigan automakers face increasingly fierce competition in electric vehicle manufacturing, underscoring the need to build a stronger talent base, a columnist writes. (Michigan Advance)