PIPELINES: The uncertain fate of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac brings urgency to the debate over how to heat homes in the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where many residents rely on propane from the pipeline. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum asks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to argue for keeping the Dakota Access pipeline operating while the agency conducts an environmental review. (Associated Press)
• Tribes and faith leaders call on the Biden administration to intervene in the ongoing construction of the Line 3 pipeline in Minnesota. (National Catholic Reporter)
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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The future is uncertain for automotive workers who build parts for internal combustion vehicles as car companies begin to shift to electric models. (Associated Press)
• Minnesota ranks 12th in a recent scorecard ranking states on policies that support a transition to clean transportation. (MPR News)
OHIO: Payments have been halted while the state’s power plant bailout law is still in effect, though ratepayers can proceed with a proposed class action lawsuit against FirstEnergy, a federal court ruled. (Bloomberg Law)
RENEWABLES: Indiana utility NIPSCO has a pipeline of large-scale wind and solar projects set to come online over the next three years to replace coal plants. (Pharos Tribune)
COAL: A former northwestern Indiana coal plant is now the site of a data center: “What was a basket of lemons is now lemonade for the city of Hammond.” (Yale Climate Connections)
GRID:
• Four Midwest states are part of a collaboration calling on policymakers to balance grid security concerns with expanding wind and solar development. (E&E News, subscription)
• The Southwest Power Pool board will consider Evergy’s request to re-study a competitive transmission project in southeastern Kansas. (RTO Insider, subscription)
DEVELOPMENT: The North Dakota Senate rejects a bill that would have required energy project developers to report details about local hiring practices. (Bismarck Tribune)
SOLAR:
• Wisconsin regulators plan to study the potential of rooftop solar, which will help officials balance investments in renewables and energy efficiency. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Local officials advance plans for a 200 MW solar project in southwestern Ohio. (Times-Gazette)
• A developer is offering landowners whose properties border a planned solar project in Ohio up to $50,000 in one-time payments. (LimaOhio.com)
• Clean energy advocates continue to spar with Ameren over net metering compensation rates in a case before Illinois regulators. (WGLT)
• Solar is on the upswing in southwestern Indiana as favorable resources and economics drive development. (Evansville Courier & Press)
• A 957 acre solar project in central Iowa is expected to be completed by next spring. (Fort Dodge Messenger)
WIND:
• A proposed northern Ohio wind project has been pending with Ohio regulators for nearly two years. (Fremont News Messenger)
• A mid-Michigan township supervisor says a moratorium is not an option as local officials consider wind siting regulations. (Greenville Daily News)
HYDROELECTRIC: American Electric Power sells a 48 MW hydroelectric plant in southeastern Ohio to a renewable energy developer. (Daily Energy Insider)
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BIOFUELS: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz asks President Biden to support renewable fuel standards, saying biofuels are an important near-term option to reduce transportation sector emissions. (Biomass Magazine)
UTILITIES: Duke Energy’s sale of its stake in an Indiana subsidiary is a “creative form of financing that gives the company a really solid foundation,” said President and CEO Lynn Good. (S&P Global)