ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Chicago community leaders demand environmental justice reforms and the revocation of a developer’s permits after a former coal plant smokestack demolition coated an immigrant neighborhood in dust last weekend. (Energy News Network)
CLEAN TECH: A Minneapolis nonprofit partners with a company to make it easier to buy and sell renewable energy credits through blockchain technology. (Energy News Network)
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TRANSPORTATION: The city of Carmel, Indiana, is set to become the first in the U.S. to convert its fleet vehicles to run on hydrogen fuel technology. (Indianapolis Star)
POLLUTION: The Trump administration weakens regulations on mercury and other toxic metals from oil and coal plants, which could undermine the legal basis for other pollution regulations. (New York Times)
PIPELINES: After rejecting key water permits for the Keystone XL pipeline, a federal judge hears arguments from tribes and environmental groups alleging a presidential permit for the project was unconstitutional. (Associated Press)
SOLAR: The Ohio Power Siting Board approves plans for an 80 MW solar project in the southwestern part of the state. (Renewables Now)
GRID: Clean energy groups denounce a decision by federal regulators that largely upholds floor prices for certain resources in PJM’s territory, saying they will discourage renewable energy. (Utility Dive)
EFFICIENCY: Minnesota researchers explore the potential for anaerobic digestion at wastewater treatment facilities to cut energy use and carbon emissions. (Star Tribune)
CLEAN ENERGY: Indiana has lost nearly 2,600 clean energy jobs since the COVID-19 outbreak and, like all other states, expects more losses to come. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
WIND:
• A North Dakota wind turbine manufacturing plant suspends operations and officials start health screenings after a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. (Associated Press)
• A Kansas company looks to hire 25 technicians to maintain wind turbines in the Midwest. (Wichita Business Journal)
UTILITIES: More than 100 members of Congress call on leadership to include language in the next round of stimulus funding prohibiting utilities from disconnecting customers during and immediately after the pandemic. (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: General Motors starts site preparation for an electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Ohio. (E&E News, subscription)
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BIOFUELS: Five governors ask President Trump for a nationwide waiver exempting oil refiners from federal biofuel blending requirements during the coronavirus-related downturn. (Reuters)
COMMENTARY: The continued growth of Ohio’s solar industry means more local revenue, retained manufacturing jobs, emissions reductions and “local power for our communities and businesses,” advocates say. (Natural Resources Defense Council)