UTILITIES: Ten Indiana utilities ask permission from state regulators to recover lost revenue from customers during the pandemic. (Associated Press)
ALSO:
• The former FirstEnergy subsidiary that’s benefiting from a ratepayer bailout to support its nuclear and coal plants approves spending $300 million for stock buybacks to benefit shareholders. (Cleveland.com)
• Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good says she is “disappointed to learn that the tool of natural gas is under such assault” amid tough questions from shareholders about the company’s clean energy plans. (Utility Dive)
• Indiana’s consumer advocate seeks further protections from utility shutoffs for those unemployed due to the pandemic. (WBOI)
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EFFICIENCY: A bipartisan bill in Minnesota would reward utilities for encouraging customers to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels for heating, cooling and transportation while boosting programs for low-income customers. (Energy News Network)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• Michigan ranks third nationally in clean energy job losses due to the pandemic, which now exceed 30,000. (MiBiz)
• Nationwide, most job losses are coming from the energy efficiency sector, and the outlook is bleaker than earlier expected. (Bloomberg Law)
WIND: MidAmerican Energy reports that more than 61% of the electricity it delivered last year came from renewable energy, largely driven by wind investments. (Daily Energy Insider)
CLIMATE: Political analysts say governors experiencing high favorability for their handling of the pandemic could be in a better position to pass ambitious climate legislation. (E&E News)
MICROGRIDS: Alliant Energy completes the installation of a solar-plus-storage microgrid for a building and cabin owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (Sauk Prairie Eagle)
COAL: An Indiana coal company reports $3.7 million in net losses during the first quarter compared to $7 million in revenues from the same time period last year. (InsideIndiana Business)
BIOFUELS:
• Ohio agribusiness The Andersons resumes ethanol production at two plants in Michigan and Iowa. (Toledo Blade)
• A COVID-19 relief bill proposed by U.S. House Democrats would provide cash payments to biofuel producers. (E&E News, subscription)
***SPONSORED LINK: Green Energy Ohio invites you to a virtual conversation about Clean Energy in the Age of Coronavirus, May 21 at noon EDT. Featuring ENN reporter Kathiann Kowalski and Dan Gearino from InsideClimate News. Register today!***
SOLAR: A northeastern Indiana packaging manufacturer installs solar panels to help offset electricity costs. (Kendallville Star)
PIPELINES: FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee rejects a request from attorneys general in 10 states, including Minnesota and Illinois, to pause approval for new infrastructure projects like natural gas pipelines. (The Hill)