PIPELINES: The U.S. Supreme Court rejects the Dakota Access pipeline developer’s bid to avoid an additional environmental review, leaving it vulnerable to a shutdown. (Reuters)
RENEWABLES:
• Indiana lawmakers advance legislation that creates voluntary statewide wind and solar siting standards, though an incentive provision was removed that would have paid communities that adopt them. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
• Columbia, Missouri, continues to fall short of its renewable energy targets, though local utility officials expect to get back on track in the coming years. (Columbia Missourian)
SOLAR:
• Central Indiana county officials unanimously approve a one-year moratorium on commercial solar projects after a proposal drew staunch opposition from some residents. (Star Press)
• A referendum vote on a western Michigan township’s recently approved solar ordinance is delayed at least until August after organizers missed a deadline. (Greenville Daily News)
CARBON CAPTURE:
• North Dakota regulators approve a $5.4 million grant for a final engineering study on a potential project to capture carbon emissions from a coal plant. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Indiana lawmakers are running out of time this session to pass bills that would allow a company to inject carbon emissions deep underground with protections from liability lawsuits and the need to compensate landowners. (Tribune Star)
CLIMATE: In a speech before state lawmakers, a Wisconsin tribal leader emphasizes the “continued threats of climate change, pipelines and extractive mining” as ongoing concerns for Indigenous communities. (Wisconsin Examiner)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is yet to produce a promised plan to repurpose former industrial sites into uses that reduce emissions particularly in low-income communities. (Inside Climate News)
UTILITIES:
• Michigan clean energy advocates want Consumers Energy’s long-term plan to avoid additional natural gas investments after shutting down coal plants. (Michigan Radio)
• A bank CEO seeks an elected seat on the Nebraska Public Power District board, pledging to challenge the utility’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. (North Platte Telegraph)
OHIO: Federal prosecutors argue that a racketeering conspiracy charge against former House Speaker Larry Householder should not be dismissed in a case involving FirstEnergy and a $60 million bribery scheme. (Associated Press)
CLEAN TECH: A Michigan startup is developing more energy-efficient heating technologies that can be applied to air and water heaters as well as surface cooktops. (Centered)
BIOGAS: A central Michigan facility that has converted landfill gas to electricity since the 1980s is now equipped to produce biogas that supplies a utility’s pipeline system. (WILX)
COMMENTARY: North Dakota appears poised to meet an anticipated spike in power demand from large industrial projects as wind and natural gas will likely play a larger role, an editorial board says. (Bismarck Tribune)