OHIO: State lawmakers appear conflicted over how and whether to repeal HB 6, the state’s nuclear bailout law at the center of an alleged bribery scandal. (Toledo Blade)
ALSO: The Ohio power plant bailout scheme is complicating the bankruptcy reorganization of former FirstEnergy subsidiary Energy Harbor. (Cleveland Business Journal)
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COAL:
• Indiana regulators deliver a long-anticipated study to help guide policymakers on clean energy, but state lawmakers are expected to try to slow the transition from coal. (E&E News, subscription)
• Developers look to draw new business activity with a new industrial park at the former site of an AEP coal plant in central Ohio. (Coshocton Tribune)
• Coal production from the Illinois Basin’s top mines decreased 20% for the year ending on June 30. (S&P Global)
WIND: Xcel Energy is among utilities planning major wind turbine repowering investments before federal tax incentives expire. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)
SOLAR: South Dakota regulators are expected to approve a settlement agreement between a solar developer and Black Hills Power involving the utility’s requirement to buy power from the project. (KELO)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Xcel Energy’s residential electric vehicle program has received regulatory approval, though the company’s public EV initiatives are moving slower than expected. (Star Tribune)
UTILITIES:
• Indiana’s moratorium on utility disconnections expired last week but state regulators are requiring utilities to offer extended payment plants. (ABC57)
• Wisconsin regulators approve a plan to freeze electric and natural gas rates for Alliant Energy customers, though environmental groups claim it essentially sneaks through a future rate case. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Advocates say Kansas would benefit from a nationwide ban on utility disconnections during the pandemic. (Wichita Eagle)
BIOFUELS: The Trump administration is expected to delay politically difficult decisions on ethanol blending requirements until after the election. (Politico)
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CLEAN ENERGY: Consumers Energy begins virtual public forums on the next phase of its long-term energy plan. (MiBiz)
COMMENTARY:
• Michigan consumer advocates say Consumers Energy continues an outdated and inefficient approach to grid infrastructure upgrades that is overcharging customers and hindering distributed generation. (Citizens Utility Board of Michigan)
• The Ohio power plant bribery scandal has spurred efforts to “eliminate the unethical funneling of money to lawmakers that allegedly grease the way for bad legislative sausage-making,” an editorial board writes. (Crain’s Cleveland Business)
• A columnist says a central North Dakota county’s opposition to wind and solar in favor of coal defies market realities. (Grand Forks Herald)