SOLAR: Opponents of a large solar-storage project in Dane County, Wisconsin, say the developer and utilities are intentionally sidestepping a more rigorous review process that would occur if the utilities built the project. (Wisconsin State Journal)
ALSO:
• A Nebraska county board approves the construction of a 250 MW solar project near Lincoln that would be the largest in the state. (Nebraska Public Media)
• A western Michigan township approves plans for what would be the state’s first floating solar project, a nearly 1 MW installation on a reservoir near a wastewater treatment plant. (WOOD-TV8)
• Consumers Energy announces agreements to own or purchase 400 MW of solar power in southern Michigan. (WTVB)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• President Biden promotes the new federal infrastructure law while visiting a new General Motors electric vehicle production plant in Detroit. (Michigan Advance)
• A coalition of influential energy groups release guiding principles for the equitable buildout of electric vehicle charging stations under the new federal infrastructure law. (E&E News)
POLITICS: Sweeping climate legislation proposed in Wisconsin could be a key campaign topic for both parties as they compete for a U.S. Senate seat. (E&E News)
WIND:
• A southeastern Nebraska county adopts wind development restrictions that include 3-mile turbine setbacks from non-participating landowners. (News Channel Nebraska)
• North Dakota regulators will consider extending a deadline for a developer to install wind turbine lighting that turns off when aircraft are not in the area as some of the components have been delayed. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Some North Dakota wind turbines were shut down during recent high-wind conditions to reduce the risk of damage. (KFYR)
PIPELINES:
• Dozens of organizers call on President Biden to shut down the Line 5 pipeline during his visit to Detroit. (Detroit News)
• An online petition asks Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to drop criminal charges against hundreds of Line 3 pipeline opponents. (KFGO)
BIOFUELS: Developers consider plans for a $190 million plant in northern Iowa that would convert waste fats and oils into renewable fuels. (Globe Gazette)
NUCLEAR: A southeastern Michigan county reaches a settlement with DTE Energy in a nuclear plant property tax dispute that will reduce payments by $1.8 million over the next 10 years. (Monroe News)
CARBON CAPTURE: After meeting a state requirement to hold dozens of public landowner meetings, the developer of a planned carbon dioxide pipeline through Iowa now plans to meet individually with affected property owners. (KMALand)
RENEWABLES: County officials in northern Ohio host a hearing today to consider a potential prohibition on large wind and solar projects as allowed under a new state law. (TiffinOhio.net)
OIL & GAS:
• Natural gas flaring in North Dakota’s Bakken region has reached a new record low as gross gas production nears an all-time high. (S&P Global)
• Ohio regulators approve the sale of a gas-powered district heating and cooling facility in Youngstown that the new owner plans to upgrade to attract more customers. (Vindicator)