POLICY: Clean energy and consumer advocates raise concerns about extensive redactions in a public report commissioned by the Kansas legislature that’s meant to help guide future energy decisions. (Energy News Network)
CLEAN ENERGY: The Sierra Club criticizes plans by Ohio State University to build a new natural gas-powered combined heat and power plant, saying renewable energy options should be explored further. (Energy News Network)
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GRID: Missouri’s power system is expected to be stressed more than any other state’s by rising temperatures over the next few decades, according to a new report. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
PIPELINES: Advocates hoping to shut down the Line 5 pipeline in the Great Lakes seek to argue in court and regulatory proceedings about the project’s contributions to climate change. (Northern Express)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Startup electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian secures another $2.5 billion in investments as it repurposes a factory in Illinois for production. (Automotive News)
• An analyst says recent investments in EV startups like Rivian is “staggering” and raises concerns about a potential bubble. (E&E News, subscription)
COAL:
• A former Iowa coal plant that was switched to natural gas and retired in 2018 is demolished. (Radio Iowa)
• The state of Wyoming sides with St. Louis-based Arch Resources and Peabody Energy as U.S. regulators attempt to block a merger of the two companies. (Associated Press)
OIL & GAS: U.S. oil and gas companies are heading toward bankruptcy at an increasing pace, raising fears about the ability to remediate abandoned wells. (New York Times)
UTILITIES:
• Rural electric cooperative revenue has taken a hit during the pandemic due to reduced demand from large users and a higher number of customers being unable to pay. (Reuters)
• Duke Energy, AEP and FirstEnergy tell federal regulators that future pandemic-related uncertainty is a “significant threat to the sector” and will require “adequate and timely” cost recovery. (Utility Dive)
• Consumer advocates raise concerns about Ohio utility customers’ ability to pay bills that have accumulated during the pandemic. (Port Clinton News Herald)
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AIR POLLUTION: A federal court rules the U.S. EPA erred when giving passing grades for air quality in Chicago and surrounding areas. (Chicago Sun-Times)
RESEARCH: A North Dakota commission is accepting applications this week for grant funding for research and development involving lignite coal and renewable energy. (Bismarck Tribune)