COAL: Indiana coal production dropped nearly 37 percent last year, and experts say it’s unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels. (Indiana Public Radio)
TRANSPORTATION:
• A coalition of large fleet owners including Exelon and Consumers Energy call on Congress to include support for electrified fleet vehicles in a federal infrastructure plan. (Utility Dive)
• Iowa climate advocates join local and statewide officials in calling for more favorable clean vehicle policies to reduce emissions. (Des Moines Register)
UTILITIES: Activist investor Carl Icahn will likely gain two voting seats on FirstEnergy’s board following a ruling by federal regulators. (Cleveland.com)
PIPELINES: Dry conditions have led Minnesota officials to suspend some water-related permits for Line 3 pipeline construction. (FOX 9)
SOLAR:
• A 325 MW solar-storage project in Wisconsin and a $150 million solar project in Ohio win approval from state regulators. (Wisconsin State Journal, Crescent-News)
• Developers meet with nearby residents to discuss plans for a 350 MW solar project near Columbus, Ohio. (Knox Pages)
• Developers hope to begin construction next year on a 150 MW solar project in southern Illinois. (WSIL)
• Construction begins on a 150 MW solar project in central Wisconsin. (WSAW)
WIND: County officials approve plans for a 250 MW wind project in central Illinois. (Bloomington Pantagraph)
CLEAN ENERGY: Missouri clean energy advocates are among groups pushing for a $100 billion federal loan program that would help electric cooperatives transition from fossil fuels. (Missouri Times)
GRID: A controversial proposed transmission line through northern Iowa and Wisconsin showcases the debate over bringing more renewable energy projects online to service populated areas. (KWWL)
COMMENTARY: An advocacy group launched by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is running “misleading” ads about the purported benefits of a downstate Illinois coal plant that could close under a proposed statewide clean energy plan, a watchdog group says. (Energy and Policy Institute)