SOLAR: Utility-scale solar could create tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity as coal’s downturn takes a toll on Appalachian Ohio, according to a recent Ohio University study. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: Ann Arbor, Michigan, officials unveil a new “resilience hub” powered by solar and storage that delivers essential needs to the community. (MLive)
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CLEAN ENERGY: A national advanced energy group is highlighting the sector’s potential to help with a pandemic economic recovery, including in Illinois where clean energy legislation is being drafted. (Energy News Network)
OHIO:
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s campaign gives nearly $20,000 in campaign contributions from three people who were indicted in the HB 6 scandal to a statewide food bank association. (Columbus Dispatch)
• After Ohio lawmakers reported not receiving campaign contributions that were listed in FirstEnergy’s recent campaign finance statement, the utility says the checks were held and canceled. (Sandusky Register)
UTILITIES:
• ComEd is in an escalating dispute with dozens of Chicago suburbs that are demanding the company pay millions of dollars more in utility taxes that municipalities say they are owed. (Chicago Tribune)
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker walks off from a press conference after attendees chant for a moratorium on utility shutoffs. (CIProud.com)
• Ohio regulators’ review of FirstEnergy’s political and charitable contributions comes after an unrelated federal lawsuit against a former utility employee who allegedly stole internal documents and gave them to the SEC. (Utility Dive)
WIND: MidAmerican Energy is investigating why a wind turbine blade broke off and crashed into a nearby field in Iowa. (KCCI)
CLIMATE: Recent polling shows Republican voters in Indiana becoming more concerned with environmental issues while statewide residents say climate change is a growing challenge. (Indianapolis Star)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The auto industry is approaching a tipping point when electric vehicles reach cost parity with fossil fuel-powered vehicles. (New York Times)
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NUCLEAR: Refueling nuclear plants becomes more complicated during the pandemic for Xcel Energy, which has had to adjust staffing levels and normal refueling procedures. (RiverTowns)
EMISSIONS: Several Democratic attorneys general in the Midwest join in urging a federal appeals court to halt the Trump administration’s rollback of methane emission rules. (E&E News)