RENEWABLES: Ohio lawmakers pass legislation giving local officials more authority to thwart wind and solar projects. (Ohio Capital Journal)

ALSO:
• Clean energy advocates and other critics plead with Gov. Mike DeWine to veto the legislation, calling it the “very definition of picking winners and losers.” (E&E News, subscription)
• Developers say a planned 375 MW solar project in northwestern Ohio would not be affected by the new policy if signed into law. (LimaOhio.com)

FINANCE: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs a bill into law adding consumer protections to the state’s Property Assessed Clean Energy program following reports that private companies have used it to take advantage of borrowers, especially in communities of color. (Missouri Independent)

PIPELINES:
• The developer of the now-canceled Keystone XL pipeline can retain easements it secured for the project, causing uncertainty for landowners who lost land through eminent domain. (Inside Climate News)
• Environmental and Indigenous activists push back against the state’s decision to let Enbridge significantly increase the amount of water it can move as it builds the Line 3 replacement and expansion in northern Minnesota. (Star Tribune)
• Canadian officials are again asking a court to pause Line 5 litigation between Michigan and Enbridge as treaty negotiations continue. (Michigan Advance)
• Nearly 800 Line 3 pipeline workers have contracted COVID-19, which Minnesota health care experts say could have been avoided if construction would have been halted. (Al Jazeera)

BIOFUELS: U.S. Farm Belt lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation to boost public investment in biofuels as the industry combats the Biden administration’s push for electric vehicles. (Reuters)

UTILITIES:
• DTE Energy is expected to spin off its natural gas pipeline business this week in a move that would likely benefit shareholders. (Detroit News)
• Missouri Gov. Mike Parson presents a $3.3 million loan check to local officials to ease expenses from skyrocketing natural gas prices duringFebruary’s cold snap. (News Tribune)

SOLAR: County officials in southern Indiana approve property tax abatements for a planned 150 MW solar project that will instead make $2.5 million in direct payments over six years. (Vincennes Sun-Commercial)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• General Motors announces a $25 million fund that will focus on closing equity gaps as the company transitions to electric vehicles. (Detroit News)
• GM executives express support for working with the United Auto Workers union to organize workers at U.S. electric vehicle battery plants. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY: A Minnesota climate activist says the state is not yet at a “tipping point” that would lead to bold climate action and a permanent transition from fossil fuels. (Minnesota Reformer)