OHIO: Repealing Ohio’s power plant bailout would save ratepayers money and provide environmental benefits if clean energy standards are reinstated, repeal supporters say. (Energy News Network/Eye on Ohio)
ALSO: A pair of shareholder lawsuits are filed in federal court claiming FirstEnergy leadership didn’t disclose the company’s role in the alleged bribery scheme surrounding the bailout law. (Bloomberg Law, subscription)
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WIND: A developer abandons plans for a 200 MW wind project in southern Indiana, citing new zoning rules that made the project impossible. (Evansville Courier & Press)
NUCLEAR: University of Illinois researchers hope to bring a micronuclear reactor to campus to demonstrate the potential to heat buildings and reduce fossil fuel use. (Champaign News-Gazette)
EFFICIENCY: A Wisconsin farm is saving $15,000 a month on electricity costs after installing an energy efficient grain dryer. (Wisconsin State Farmer)
SOLAR: A metro St. Louis area of southern Illinois is seeing a surge of solar installations through a group-purchasing program. (Alton Telegraph)
POLICY: U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette touts “energy independence” and claims renewable energy is still dependent on “baseload” power during a visit to North Dakota this week. (Williston Herald)
UTILITIES:
• The Cleveland City Council plans a series of hearings over the coming weeks on the finances and operations of the city’s municipal utility. (WOSU)
• Ameren and ComEd agree to extend a moratorium on utility disconnections through Sept. 10, while several natural gas providers agree to an extension through September. (WIFR)
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OIL & GAS: A U.S. Forest Service official discusses the backlog of requests for oil and gas leasing permits in North Dakota during a recent visit to the state. (Bismarck Tribune)
COMMENTARY:
• The head of a nuclear energy trade group says nuclear plants are still necessary to keep power sector emissions low despite the “frustrating and even heartbreaking” scandal unfolding in Ohio. (Cleveland.com)
• Minnesota lawmakers should avoid ousting Gov. Tim Walz’s agency appointees over political disagreements including the Line 3 pipeline, an editorial board says. (Star Tribune)