PIPELINES: Enbridge says Line 3 construction is “substantially complete” and oil will begin flowing through the expanded pipeline tomorrow. (Star Tribune)

NUCLEAR: After threatening to close two Illinois nuclear plants unless they received state subsidies, Exelon now plans $300 million in capital projects over the next five years to upgrade the facilities. (Power Engineering)

SOLAR:
• State regulators hear broad public support for a planned 100 MW solar project in central Ohio. (Marion Star)
• Columbus, Ohio, officials expect construction to be completed next June on a solar project at a formal landfill that will help the city meet its clean energy goals. (WOSU)
• State and local officials celebrate the groundbreaking of a 100 MW solar project in eastern Wisconsin. (Sun Prairie Star)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• An Iowa electrical engineering researcher says the U.S. is in an “interim” period for electric vehicles and predicts the benefits of electrified transportation won’t be evident for 20 years. (Radio Iowa)
• Alliant Energy in Iowa joins nine other utilities in planning an electric vehicle charging station buildout across 11 states. (FOX 2)

UTILITIES: American Electric Power is among large U.S. utilities speaking out against potential penalties under the proposed federal Clean Electricity Performance Program, a central component of congressional Democrats’ $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill. (E&E News)

COAL: North Dakota utility officials say a growing number of investors are distancing themselves from coal projects: “What you’ve seen is a really fast change,” says one official. (Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSMISSION: A Canadian court rules that its government didn’t adequately consult with an Indigenous tribe over plans for a $490 million Manitoba transmission project that would have exported power to the U.S. (Canada.com)

CLIMATE:
• Officials in Dane County, Wisconsin, set a net-zero carbon emissions goal for county buildings and fleets by 2030 while also budgeting $10 million for clean fuels infrastructure. (Channel 3000)
• A new partnership at the University of Minnesota will study climate change and how humans can better manage Midwest wildlife, ecosystems and natural resources. (Star Tribune)

COMMENTARY:
• A former Ohio Republican House lawmaker says deregulating the state’s energy market two decades ago incentivized utilities to purchase influence in the Statehouse, and that oversight reforms are needed for utility regulators. (Columbus Dispatch)
• An Indiana climate activist says grassroots organizing is key to prompt national and worldwide progress on climate change. (Indianapolis Star)