SOLAR: Critics say Consumers Energy has failed to provide data justifying its proposal to significantly reduce compensation for customers who send excess solar power back to the grid. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• Three large solar projects planned in southern Indiana are expected to double the state’s solar capacity and boost local rural economies. (Indiana Public Media)
• An eco-village outside of Detroit launches a crowdfunding campaign to install solar-powered streetlights. (Model D)
• A Chicago nonprofit is delivering solar-powered lights to areas of Louisiana still recovering from Hurricane Laura. (KPLC)
***SPONSORED LINK: MnSEIA’s 7th annual Virtual Gateway to Solar event is less than a month away. Join speakers, sponsors, and attendees from across the country for 2 days of on-demand educational sessions, highlighting Diversity & Inclusion training and COVID-19 recovery.***
POLICY: Ohio lawmakers will consider a host of other issues besides nuclear plant bailouts, including clean energy standards and coal plant subsidies, as they consider repealing HB 6. (Cleveland.com)
EMISSIONS:
• Daimler AG and subsidiary Mercedes-Benz agree to pay $1.5 billion to resolve emissions cheating allegations. (Associated Press)
• A North Dakota agency is tasked with building up a program to review emission leaks from oil field infrastructure after assuming regulatory authority from the U.S. EPA. (Bismarck Tribune)
BIOFUELS: The Trump administration rejects dozens of requests for waivers from small oil refiners to be exempt from the federal renewable fuels law. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
GRID: The Southwest Power Pool and Midcontinent Independent System Operator announce a yearlong study to improve coordination along the “seam” where their grid boundaries interconnect. (Arkansas Business)
PIPELINES:
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said last week the state “in the very near future” will complete its review of Enbridge’s compliance with an easement for the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. (MLive)
• A private security company agrees to pay $175,000 to settle a dispute over its role in Dakota Access pipeline protests, but it’s far less than the $2 million originally sought by the state of North Dakota. (Bismarck Tribune)
COAL:
• Peabody Energy announces the termination of its chief operating officer amid a particularly rough stretch for the coal industry. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• An eastern Ohio coal mine closes less than two months after its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection. (Herald-Star)
***SPONSORED LINK: The National Solar Tour is going virtual! Sep. 24-Oct. 4. Meet solar owners from around the country. Hear about their experience going solar. Explore new technologies. Learn about solar’s role in energy equity and community empowerment.***
WIND: Developers begin acquiring land for a planned 255 MW wind project in eastern Illinois. (Danville Commercial-News)
COMMENTARY:
• The co-founder of a solar company says repealing HB 6 in Ohio would make it easier for schools to install solar projects and reduce their energy costs. (LimaOhio.com)
• Ohio regulators should intervene to root out the “deception and nonsense” at the heart of HB 6, an editorial board says. (Columbus Dispatch)