PIPELINES: A tribal official in Michigan says it’s “appalling” that they’re being told to prepare for public comment during a pandemic as Enbridge seeks permits to build a tunnel for the Line 5 pipeline. (Interlochen Public Radio)
ALSO: Legal experts anticipate recent federal court rulings involving environmental reviews for the Dakota Access pipeline to fuel an uptick in environmental cases that take a similar approach. (Bloomberg Law)
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CLEAN ENERGY:
• The coronavirus has created uncertainty for state clean energy legislation, electric vehicle sales, rooftop solar and climate action. (InsideClimate News)
• State officials representing over a quarter of the country’s power sales announce a new coalition centered on 100% carbon-free targets. (E&E News)
COAL: Murray Energy wants the federal government to take over health care payments to its retirees as the company navigates the bankruptcy process. (Wheeling News-Register)
UTILITIES: The Ohio Valley Electric Corp. demands more than $500 million in damages from a FirstEnergy subsidiary after a bankruptcy court allowed for a long-term contract to be canceled. (Utility Dive)
GRID: House Democrats’ next economic stimulus package includes $34.3 billion for grid security and modernization. (Bloomberg)
RENEWABLES: Clean energy advocates say they are encouraged by DTE Energy’s effort to improve its competitive bidding process for renewable energy projects. (Utility Dive)
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POLICY: Statewide clean energy legislation across the Midwest is largely on hold as lawmakers press pause during the pandemic. (E&E News, subscription)
COMMENTARY:
• Extending and expanding federal tax credits for clean energy will help rebuild the economy while keeping electricity costs low, advocates say. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
• A clash over subsidies between Illinois and federal regulators shows that a carbon tax is the “right way” to transition to a low-carbon economy, a former Treasury Department senior economist says. (Forbes)
• The oil industry’s claim that building the Keystone XL pipeline will strengthen energy security is “obvious nonsense” given the record glut of oil, author Bill McKibben writes. (New Yorker)