CLEAN ENERGY: Dominion Energy’s opposition to an Ohio village’s 100% clean energy goal appears part of a larger trend of gas utilities becoming more active at the local government level. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: A Minneapolis entrepreneur is moving forward with plans for a renewable energy job training center and hopes to start some classes this summer. (Finance & Commerce)
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Illinois’ attorney general sues the companies that oversaw the demolition of a coal plant smokestack in Chicago, claiming the operation caused air pollution that harmed nearby residents. (Chicago Sun-Times)
RENEWABLES: Minneapolis is outpacing the rest of Minnesota in renewable energy, with one-third of its portfolio coming from renewables. (Southwest Journal)
EFFICIENCY: Buildings account for a vast majority of U.S. electricity consumption and represent a major source of load flexibility through energy efficiency and demand response, a report finds. (Utility Dive)
COAL: The U.S. Small Business Administration has given more than $31 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans to publicly traded coal companies. (Bloomberg Law)
SOLAR:
• Wisconsin’s solar industry is contending with decreased demand for some projects due to the pandemic. (The Daily Reporter, subscription)
• Data show the pandemic has had less of an effect on residential solar’s year-over-year growth than expected. (PV Magazine)
OIL & GAS: Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffet regrets his $10 billion investment into an oil company last year and plans to invest more in wind and solar. (E&E News, subscription)
PIPELINES: A northern Minnesota regional development commission announces its support for the Line 3 pipeline replacement and expansion. (Bemidji Pioneer)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla postpones the first delivery of its semi-truck to 2021, citing battery supply constraints that could have slowed production on other models. (Transport Dive)
COMMENTARY:
• Climate activists can organize more public debates and create more political analysis as the coronavirus prevents mass pipeline protests, says the head of an Indigenous advocacy group. (Grist)
• Indigenous activist and author Winona LaDuke says oil companies are growing desperate to rush pipeline projects like Keystone XL and Line 3. (The Circle)