OIL & GAS: A North Dakota program aims to keep roughly 1,000 oil workers employed through the year by plugging abandoned wells. (Bismarck Tribune)
ALSO:
• Environmental groups ask an Ohio appeals court to revoke drilling permits to construct large underground salt caverns to store natural gas liquids along the Ohio River. (Associated Press)
• The oil and gas industry is among sectors that have had less environmental monitoring as the Trump administration lifted regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Associated Press)
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SOLAR:
• A solar installation on a Minneapolis building is unique for incorporating an artful design in a highly visible area. (Energy News Network)
• The University of Notre Dame commits to purchasing credits equal to 40% of the output from a 22 MW Indiana solar project. (Inside Indiana Business)
RENEWABLES:
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s clean energy plan targets 100% renewables by 2050 while putting a price on carbon emissions to phase out polluting power plants. (E&E News, subscription)
• Pritzker’s plan receives mixed reactions from consumer advocates, business groups and utilities. (State Journal-Register)
COAL: Indiana researchers say communities will have to think strategically as the anticipated closure of coal plants will lead to hundreds of layoffs and lost tax revenue. (Indiana Public Media)
OHIO:
• American Electric Power investors file a lawsuit alleging the utility covertly participated in a scheme to bail out uneconomic nuclear and coal plants. (Cleveland.com)
• A small crowd of protesters gather in Akron, Ohio, calling for the repeal of the legislation at the center of the alleged bribery scandal. (Akron Beacon Journal)
WIND: Developers move forward with plans for a 500 MW wind project in central North Dakota, hoping to complete it in 2022. (Bismarck Tribune)
NUCLEAR:
• Xcel Energy looks to extend the lives of its existing nuclear plants while exploring options for smaller reactors as it transitions to entirely carbon-free power. (Star Tribune)
• Michigan’s Fermi 2 nuclear plant was not affected by a minor earthquake in the area on Friday. (Detroit News)
PIPELINES: Minnesota’s commerce commissioner defends the state’s challenge of the Line 3 pipeline replacement project during a confirmation hearing in the GOP-led state Senate. (MPR News)
UTILITIES: The CEO of Minnesota-based Allete discusses her new leadership role during the pandemic and the company’s shift to clean energy. (Star Tribune)
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POWER PLANTS: A proposed 1,200 MW natural gas plant in northeastern Illinois receives financing. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
COMMENTARY: Author and activist Winona LaDuke says Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to continue challenging the Line 3 pipeline replacement project helps promote a “just transition” from fossil fuels. (Star Tribune)