OHIO: Ohio lawmakers held second hearings this week on twin bills that critics say would infringe on individuals’ property rights and make it nearly impossible to finance large-scale wind and solar projects. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• The Ohio House passes a bill to revoke $1 billion in subsidies for two nuclear plants, which needs to be reconciled with a state Senate version. (Cleveland.com)
• Ohio GOP state Rep. Bill Seitz says it’s “false to insinuate” that corruption in the state House was related to the passage of the state’s power plant subsidy law, despite multiple guilty pleas to corruption charges. (Cleveland.com)
• Ohio regulators will expand an audit of FirstEnergy to see if ratepayer money was wrongfully used to pay a company tied to former PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo. (Cleveland.com)
SOLAR:
• An Iowa company produces solar-powered energy storage units made from shipping containers to use during disasters or peak demand. (Business Record)
• A Wisconsin community solar project is 75% subscribed after a local company commits to purchasing 30% of available solar blocks. (Fond du Lac Reporter)
• An Indiana county considers zoning regulations that would increase setback requirements and create screening guidelines for solar projects. (WKVI)
• Local officials advance plans for two Ohio solar projects totaling 100 MW of capacity. (Times Gazette)
PIPELINES: Five Republican members of Michigan’s congressional delegation call on President Biden to prevent a potential shutdown of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac in May. (MLive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: An Ohio agency awards roughly $3.2 million in grants to support the installation of more than 500 electric vehicle charging stations across the state. (Dayton Business Journal)
CLIMATE: Critics of Columbus, Ohio’s climate action plan says it doesn’t go far enough with a proposed 25% cut to carbon emissions by 2030. (Columbus Dispatch)
UTILITIES: Two Nebraska electric cooperatives are among seven to file a complaint with federal regulators alleging that the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association is blocking their attempts to leave the organization. (Colorado Sun)
WIND: An Illinois county board approves changes to local wind regulations that aim to limit shadow flicker on properties near wind turbines. (Piatt County Journal-Republican)
OIL & GAS:
• North Dakota lawmakers consider a tax credit for oil producers that install flaring mitigation systems. (Inforum)
• Ameren Illinois is investing $4.7 million to upgrade its natural gas system in four southern Illinois communities. (WPSD)
COMMENTARY:
• Local government advocates in Indiana say legislation to set statewide renewable energy regulations would strip communities’ home-rule powers. (Indianapolis Star)
• Renewable energy projects can “help farming families stay operating through difficult economic conditions,” says a member of the Wisconsin Land and Liberty Coalition. (Madison Capital Times)
• A Minnesota utility executive says reliability remains a core component to the company’s long-term clean energy plan. (Duluth News Tribune)