COAL: An Indianapolis Power & Light coal plant has had more than 120 permit violations in the past three years, the most of any facility in the state, and critics say a compliance plan and fines are not enough. (Indianapolis Star)
ALSO:
• Organizers protest as the demolition of a former coal plant resumes in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood after a previous attempt covered the community in dust. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• DTE Energy ranks second in a recent Union of Concerned Scientists analysis of uneconomic coal plants, and while the utility disputes the findings, the report’s author says they’re based on the company’s own data. (MiBiz)
***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.***
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Xcel Energy has several programs under development in Minnesota that are designed to incentivize off-peak charging. (Utility Dive)
EFFICIENCY:
• Developers are planning two redevelopment projects with a strong focus on energy efficiency in an effort to revitalize downtown Gary, Indiana. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
• Energy efficiency could play a key role in limiting energy usage as recreational marijuana growing expands in the Midwest. (Yale Climate Connections)
SOLAR:
• A parking canopy with solar panels helps a company become the first healthcare facility in Indiana to reach net zero energy usage. (WFIE)
• A central Illinois city will add 500 kW of solar power next month to its energy portfolio. (Effingham Daily News)
BIOFUELS: Minnesota’s biofuels industry begins to rebound as plants reopen or increase production after the pandemic caused a sharp drop in demand. (Star Tribune)
CLIMATE: Tribes in northern Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin approach climate change adaptation with traditional values of relationship building and observation. (Yale Climate Connections)
UTILITIES: Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe is among a panel of utility leaders discussing increased customer engagement and faster technology shifts as a result of the pandemic. (Daily Energy Insider)
***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.***
TRANSPORTATION: U.S. House Democrats sponsor an updated $494 billion transportation funding bill that includes $350 million for EV charging and hydrogen fueling stations. (Smart Cities Dive)
COMMENTARY: A columnist says North Dakota officials should prepare to embrace the wind industry as the planned closure of the Coal Creek Station could result in coal-sector job losses. (Inforum)