WIND:
• Turbines are being repowered with newer, larger blades far ahead of their original life expectancies as utilities and developers take advantage of technology improvements and tax credits. (Energy News Network)
• County planners in mid-Michigan host a lengthy meeting as they revisit local wind turbine siting regulations. (Greenville Daily News)
PIPELINES: The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa says crude oil carried through Line 5 could be re-routed to a pipeline that runs south to Illinois in order to reduce risk, though Enbridge disagrees. (Energy News Network)
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CLEAN ENERGY: The Prairie Island Indian Community in Minnesota advances plans for a clean energy project that will help the tribe achieve net zero emissions. (Post Bulletin)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE:
• A nonprofit launches a Climate Funders Justice Pledge to push philanthropic organizations to shift 30% of their donations to environmental efforts led by people of color. (Associated Press)
• Marathon will invest nearly $500,000 in community projects and pay the state of Michigan nearly $82,000 in fines under a consent agreement to settle refinery emission violations. (Detroit News)
RENEWABLES: Ohio lawmakers plan to introduce legislation that would give township residents the ability to challenge via referendum the siting of wind and solar projects. (Toledo Blade)
UTILITIES: An Indiana bill would require utilities to show how they plan to provide reliable power to customers for the next three years as more renewable energy comes online. (WFYI)
SOLAR:
• A 2.5 MW solar project is now online at an industrial manufacturing site in Toledo, Ohio. (Toledo Blade)
• Local officials table plans for a $128 million solar project in southwestern Indiana to consider more aspects of the proposal. (WTHI)
• A 54-acre solar project is now operational at the University of Illinois. (News-Gazette)
• Central Minnesota county officials approve an emergency moratorium on solar projects to protect “taxpayers from harm down the road.” (Maple Lake Messenger)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: 2021 will likely be a pivotal year for electric vehicles as automakers commit to more vehicle models and states pursue policies that bolster charging infrastructure. (Utility Dive)
BIOFUELS: Iowa’s renewable fuels industry accounted for nearly $4 billion, or about 2%, of the state’s GDP in 2020, according to a report commissioned by a trade group. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
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POLICY: A U.S. Senate committee advances former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s nomination as energy secretary for the Biden administration. (Detroit News)
COMMENTARY: Some automakers’ “gesture of goodwill” to withdraw from a lawsuit challenging California’s authority to cut vehicle emissions is underwhelming, an editorial board says. (Los Angeles Times)