ILLINOIS: After months of negotiations, a major clean energy bill is on its way to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who plans to sign it into law. The legislation subsidizes two Exelon nuclear plants, more than doubles state spending on renewables and charts a carbon-free energy path by 2050. (Chicago Sun-Times)
UTILITIES: An independent audit finds several minor violations by FirstEnergy utilities related to the state’s corporate separation rules and recommends more compliance measures from the company. (Cleveland.com)
PIPELINES: A Minnesota agency appeals a federal court ruling that tossed claims by the state that it is immune from being sued in tribal court in a case involving the Line 3 pipeline. (Reuters)
RENEWABLES: Midwest renewable energy projects will receive $200 million in federal loans under a U.S. Department of Agriculture program. (KOSU)
CARBON CAPTURE: Iowa regulators begin overseeing dozens of public meetings on a proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would cross 30 Iowa counties. (Center Square)
SOLAR:
• Local officials in southeastern Michigan express early concerns over a proposed 100 MW solar project on agriculturally zoned land. (Monroe News)
• An Ohio municipal utility will take ownership of a 14-acre solar project as a 10-year lease nears its end. (Bryan Times)
OIL & GAS:
• North Dakota officials will allow a developer’s construction permit to stay active after facing delays in building an oil refinery near a national park. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Kansas natural gas customers are set to see higher bills as a result of a spike in gas prices during a cold weather snap this past winter. (Kansas City Star)
• Kansas’ attorney general maintains that the spike in prices earlier this year appears to violate state law as unjustified price increases for necessary goods during an emergency. (Associated Press)
WIND: A North Dakota county begins a nine-month moratorium on wind development as local officials craft local zoning regulations. (Dickinson Press)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Kansas will install 12 electric vehicle charging stations along rural highways next year in an effort to combat range anxiety. (Wichita Eagle)
HYDROELECTRIC: An independent investigation finds a series of deficiences led to the collapse of a former hydroelectric dam in Michigan, and warns about the potential for similar failures at other aging dams. (Bridge Michigan)
COMMENTARY: The Biden administration is rightly pursuing a widespread solar energy buildout as a way to accomplish climate change goals, a Minnesota editorial board writes. (Star Tribune)