UTILITIES: Major Ohio utilities signal a positive financial outlook despite a drop in power demand during the pandemic, which critics say highlights policies that protect utilities from risk at the expense of ratepayers. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: A settlement with the U.S. EPA will require DTE Energy to reduce air pollution from five southeastern Michigan coal plants, pay a $1.8 million civil penalty and replace old school and municipal transit buses with cleaner models. (Detroit News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship***
OIL & GAS:
• North Dakota wants to use $33.1 million in federal coronavirus aid to plug abandoned oil wells, many of which were created by the latest industry downturn. (Associated Press)
• Oil extraction and mining businesses had the best success in getting loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, according to a Census Bureau survey. (Associated Press)
SMART GRID: The Illinois Commerce Commission is close to finalizing rules that will allow utilities to earn a return on investment for cloud-based computing solutions, which will help facilitate the transition to a smart grid. (Utility Dive)
COAL: The planned closure of a major North Dakota coal plant may signal a shift for electric cooperatives, which have been slow to embrace clean energy. (InsideClimate News)
PIPELINES: Michigan’s attorney general urges the state Public Service Commission to reject Enbridge’s request to move forward with construction of a pipeline tunnel for Line 5. (WILX)
SOLAR: An Illinois university expects to save up to $80,000 a year on electricity costs with a new solar project that includes no upfront costs. (Premier Broadcasting)
STORAGE: A western Michigan company receives a $250,000 grant to advance its utility-scale energy storage technology. (MiBiz)
***SPONSORED LINK: Green Energy Ohio invites you to a virtual conversation about Clean Energy in the Age of Coronavirus, May 21 at noon EDT. Featuring ENN reporter Kathiann Kowalski and Dan Gearino from InsideClimate News. Register today!***
EFFICIENCY: Ameren officials discuss ways residential customers can save energy as their demand grows during the pandemic. (Herald & Review)
COMMENTARY:
• A FirstEnergy subsidiary’s stock buyback “is a brazen slap in the face to every Ohio customer who will have to pony up to subsidize a pair of nuclear power plants that are financially troubled,” an editorial board writes. (Toledo Blade)
• A North Dakota state senator says the state should invest in retraining workers at a major coal plant scheduled to close in 2022. (Inforum)