POLICY: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposes ratemaking reforms and clamping down on utilities’ political contributions in the wake of a bribery scandal: “Their days of outsized influence on the process are ending.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
ALSO: Pritzker’s energy plan also calls for 100% clean energy by 2050 by taking new steps to boost solar and wind projects as well as electric vehicles. (WBEZ)
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UTILITIES: Wisconsin regulators extend a moratorium on utility disconnections until Oct. 1 as one-third of state residents are behind on utility bills. (Wisconsin State Journal)
GRID: The Trump administration buried a major study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory detailing ways to boost the national energy grid with stronger transmission between eastern and western states. (The Atlantic)
PIPELINES: The legal dispute over the Dakota Access pipeline is set to ramp up again as two separate federal court cases proceed. (S&P Global)
SOLAR:
• Eastern Ohio county officials continue to raise questions about a proposed joint purchasing agreement for long-term solar contracts. (Steubenville Herald-Star)
• A northern Michigan city will install solar panels on top of its city hall, which will serve as a pilot project for potentially more public facilities. (Petoskey News-Review)
• A nonprofit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula installs nearly a dozen free residential solar projects with help from state funding. (WLUC)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Teslas made up more than 80% of electric vehicle sales in the first half of 2020. (CNET)
• ComEd plans to electrify 30% of its vehicle fleet by 2025 and 50% over the next decade. (news release)
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COAL: Excavation work proceeds on a coal mine reclamation project in central Missouri. (News Tribune)
COMMENTARY: Researchers suggest improved ways to perform avoided cost analyses that better quantify the benefits of energy efficiency programs in Minnesota and beyond. (Union of Concerned Scientists)