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)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.