COAL: Environmental groups file a lawsuit challenging the U.S. EPA’s rollback of Obama-era regulations on coal plant wastewater, which could have implications for two Wisconsin facilities. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
CLEAN ENERGY: A senior policy associate with a Chicago community solar developer discusses how energy poverty challenges in her youth influenced her efforts to expand clean energy access to environmental justice communities. (Centered)
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PIPELINES: A federal judge dismisses parts of a defamation lawsuit against law enforcement officials who made public statements blaming a Dakota Access pipeline protester for her own injuries four years ago. (Associated Press)
SOLAR:
• Vectren expects to start construction soon on a 50 MW solar project in southwestern Indiana. (Inside Indiana Business)
• A Minnesota energy supplier expects solar to play a larger role in the state’s energy mix as costs decline. (KARE)
POLITICS: An American Electric Power political action committee contributes $7,500 to seven members of a legislative committee tasked with repealing and replacing Ohio’s power plant subsidy law. (Energy and Policy Institute)
RENEWABLES:
• The Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, whose members include General Motors and Google, issues guidelines to organize new wholesale energy markets to spur corporate renewable energy purchases. (Utility Dive)
• Experts say Iowa is poised to be a national leader in renewable energy with a more robust transmission buildout. (Des Moines Register)
UTILITIES:
• FirstEnergy executives warn investors the company’s balance sheet could be hurt by an ongoing investigation into its role in an alleged bribery scheme. (Columbus Business First)
• Xcel Energy’s proposed 20% rate increase over three years could be put on hold for a year as regulators consider the utility’s pandemic-related clean energy investments. (Star Tribune)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ford executives are planning affordable electric vehicle models that could start at $20,000. (CNET)
COMMENTARY: In addition to an alleged bribery scandal, Ohio lawmakers have sought to weaken consumer protections by restricting the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, a former state senator writes. (Columbus Dispatch)