CARBON CAPTURE: A developer proposes what would be a third carbon dioxide pipeline through Iowa that would capture CO2 emissions from ethanol plants. (Des Moines Register)
ALSO:
• An Iowa Republican is drafting legislation that would require support from a majority of affected landowners before state regulators could approve eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects. (Radio Iowa)
• Officials in Iowa’s second-most populous county formally oppose the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects, though a state panel has authority over the proposed projects. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Officials from other Iowa counties in the path of a proposed carbon pipeline express frustration over responsibilities placed on them such as ensuring construction does not harm county drainage districts and roads. (Globe Gazette)
COAL:
• The U.S. EPA orders utilities to stop dumping coal ash waste into unlined storage ponds and to speed up plans to close leaking sites, which could cause some storage sites in Indiana to close ahead of schedule. (Associated Press, WTHR)
• Over the last two years, Ohio electricity customers have collectively faced about $211 million in add-on charges to cover losses from two uneconomic coal plants. (Ohio Capital Journal)
NATURAL GAS: CenterPoint Energy looks to spend $900 million on two natural gas-powered peaker plants and a pipeline to get fuel to them in southern Indiana. (Indianapolis Star)
CLIMATE: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota remains bullish on adopting stronger climate and clean energy programs either through the Build Back Better proposal or her own Clean Electricity Performance Program. (E&E News)
WIND:
• After 18 months of debate, a central Kansas county adopts wind zoning regulations that include 2,000-foot setback distances from homes and 3-mile setbacks from state-owned parkland. (Hutchinson News)
• MidAmerican Energy is in the early development stages of a planned utility-scale wind project in western Iowa. (Daily Nonpareil)
SOLAR:
• Eastern Iowa county officials advance plans for a 100 MW solar project with new conditions on setback distances and panel height. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Michigan regulators hold a public hearing in the Upper Peninsula to discuss a utility’s long-term energy plan that includes adding 100 MW of solar generation. (Iron Mountain Daily News)
OVERSIGHT: Kansas House leadership removes the chairperson of a legislative committee overseeing energy issues after he sent a contentious letter urging state regulators to delay rate increases stemming from last February’s polar vortex. (Kansas Reflector)