EFFICIENCY: A new Minnesota law incentivizes utilities to help cover “pre-weatherization” costs, such as removing asbestos or lead paint, that have been barriers to energy efficiency upgrades for low-income property owners. (Energy News Network)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: A new partnership aims to generate more data about energy usage of utility customers in Detroit who are disproportionately burdened by high electricity bills. (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Foxconn and electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker are in discussions with Wisconsin officials about potentially building electric vehicles in the state. (Journal Times)
SOLAR:
• Michigan legislation aims to expand the eligibility of entities that can start community solar projects. (Midland Daily News)
• A Michigan township enacts a one-year moratorium on new solar development following a solar opposition campaign from a local businessman. (MLive)
• Advocates say Indiana utility customers interested in installing rooftop solar should do so within the next year before higher net metering rates expire by July 2022. (Indiana Public Media)
• Developers discuss the benefits of Nebraska’s first operating solar-plus-storage project. (KETV)
• A new Minnesota budget includes language authorizing a state agency to redevelop former landfills with several specified uses, including commercial solar projects. (RTO Insider, subscription)
OIL & GAS: North Dakota files a lawsuit against the federal Bureau of Land Management’s suspension of auctions for oil and gas leases. (Associated Press)
SMART METERS: Michigan utility customers will continue to pay a monthly fee if they refuse to have a smart meter installed after the state Supreme Court declined to hear a case from challengers. (MLive)
GRID: Grid operator PJM advances plans to update its capacity market rules that could empower states to adopt energy policies to meet climate goals. (E&E News, subscription)
HYDROELECTRIC: A Michigan dam operator is cited by state officials for causing “erratic flows” in the Kalamazoo River. (MLive)
UTILITIES:
• While some Kansas City-area customers will see energy savings, Evergy customers in parts of Missouri may be repaying electric costs for the next 15 years following the February cold weather snap that strained supplies. (Kansas Reflector)
• Thousands of Columbus, Ohio, water and electricity customers face potential disconnections as a moratorium on utility shutoffs comes to an end. (WCMH)
• Michigan utilities tell state regulators they have adequate electricity supplies to meet reliability requirements. (Daily Energy Insider)
COMMENTARY:
• Minnesota Republicans’ successful effort to eventually force out a pollution regulator appointed by Gov. Tim Walz is “troubling” and will cost the state valuable candidates in the future, an editorial board says. (Star Tribune)
• Two recent court rulings and President Biden’s “non-committal stance” on the Renewable Fuel Standard has caused uncertainty within Iowa’s ethanol industry, an editorial board writes. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)