OHIO: Democratic lawmakers push for a swift repeal of Ohio’s power plant bailout law, while Republican leaders say they want to avoid being “hasty and reckless.” (WOSU)
ALSO: State Rep. Larry Householder returns to the state House chamber for the first time since being charged with overseeing a bribery scandal involving the power plant bailout law, saying he will plead not guilty and that the law is “good legislation.” (Cleveland.com)
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SOLAR:
• Consumers Energy says advocates seeking higher compensation for Michigan customers who send excess solar power back to the grid are after a “sweetheart deal.” (MLive)
• DTE Energy seeks to build 420 MW of new solar capacity in the next two years to support demand for its voluntary renewable energy program. (MiBiz)
• County officials in northeastern Ohio sign a letter of intent to consider offsetting future power use with solar contracts. (Ashtabula Star Beacon)
• Solar projects by far dominate planned renewable energy projects in southern Ohio, according to state energy officials. (Highland County Press)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating environmental injustice in Michigan, including through higher utility bills and fossil fuels pollution, according to a new study. (WKAR)
UTILITIES: An analysis shows it would cost Chicago $8.8 billion to cut ties with ComEd and municipalize its electricity system. (Utility Dive)
CLIMATE: Most Indiana Republicans support climate change resilience policies, though a wide gap remains between Democrats and Republicans who say climate change is happening, according to an Indiana University survey. (Indianapolis Star)
RENEWABLES: Developers and local and utility officials see strong potential for solar, wind and battery storage across Nebraska. (Omaha World-Herald)
OIL & GAS: Michigan officials host a public hearing today on a proposed consent order to resolve air quality violations at a Detroit oil refinery. (Associated Press)
CARBON CAPTURE: North Dakota utility officials discuss challenges with financing carbon capture projects during a visit by U.S. Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette. (Bismarck Tribune)
PIPELINES: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recommends the Justice Department negotiate a settlement with the state of North Dakota over policing costs related to Dakota Access pipeline protests. (Associated Press)
WIND: Developers eye southwestern Iowa for wind projects in the coming years after local officials adopted regulations this summer. (Hamburg Reporter)
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BIOFUELS: Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says current Secretary Sonny Perdue should visit Iowa farmers to hear firsthand about the biofuel industry’s challenges. (Radio Iowa)
COMMENTARY: An environmental attorney says Ohio’s power plant bailout law should be replaced with policy that supports clean energy and benefits consumers. (Cleveland.com)