GRID: Transmission capacity in the Upper Midwest is becoming strained as more renewable energy projects come online, while building a more robust system would be expensive and contentious among landowners. (Star Tribune)
ALSO: Crossing grid territories of PJM and MISO is causing delays for the development of a planned underground transmission line between Iowa and Illinois. (Star Tribune)
OHIO:
• State utility regulators commissioned an audit of the state’s power plant bailout law, then edited the draft to remove language that said the bill was not “in the best interests of ratepayers.” (Ohio Capital Journal)
• As Ohio lawmakers consider restoring energy efficiency programs gutted under HB 6, a new analysis shows ratepayers in multiple Midwestern states are missing out on major savings from recent efficiency rollbacks. (Energy News Network)
WIND: Missouri consumer advocates say ratepayers shouldn’t be responsible for operating costs related to an Ameren wind farm that has idled at night because of recent bat and eagle deaths. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
DEVELOPMENT: Officials at Michigan’s largest utilities say they are prepared to offer competitive power prices and infrastructure to support large-scale developments after Ford chose Kentucky and Tennessee for electric vehicle and battery manufacturing plants. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• An Indiana manufacturing plant produces its first run of electrified fleet vehicles, which company officials predict will see a quicker ramp-up than passenger vehicles. (Bloomberg)
• Some western Michigan residents are already seeing the cost and environmental benefits of electric vehicles as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposes a charging network along Lake Michigan. (Holland Sentinel)
• Electric truck manufacturer Rivian, which currently sources batteries from a South Korea supplier, plans to build battery cells in-house. (Reuters)
BIOGAS: Plans move forward for a new waste handling facility in western Michigan that would produce renewable natural gas. (MLive)
UTILITIES: Indiana utility NIPSCO seeks a 17% rate increase for natural gas customers to pay for infrastructure investments. (Journal Gazette)
COMMENTARY:
• An Ohio editorial board calls for an independent audit of state energy regulators following their handling of power plant bailout legislation and renewable energy projects while under the leadership of Sam Randazzo. (Cleveland.com)
• A North Dakota editorial board says a rebuilt Line 3 pipeline through northern Minnesota is once again moving oil “as it’s intended to do.” (Grand Forks Herald)
• Michigan is “unprepared to achieve its dreams of dominating the automotive future” after the state missed out on Ford’ $11.4 billion electric vehicle and battery manufacturing investment. (Detroit News)