GRID: A new study identifies seven transmission projects straddling the Southwest Power Pool and MISO grids that would cost $1.65 billion and potentially enable up to 53 gigawatts of new renewable energy capacity. (E&E News)
PIPELINES: Environmental groups dispute a recent oil and gas industry report that claimed shutting down the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan would increase fuel costs by about 10%. (Michigan Radio)
SOLAR:
• Minnesota Power’s parent company, Allette, buys one of the state’s oldest and most prominent solar companies as part of a $165.5 million acquisition deal with a Maryland solar developer. (news release, Star Tribune)
• An Indiana city will use federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to install solar panels on two city-owned buildings. (Muncie Star Press)
• Iowa legislation would fulfill a tax credit promise to solar panel customers on a waitlist after program funding ran out. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• A northeastern Nebraska community solar project is expected to be operational and available for subscriptions by the end of next month. (Norfolk Daily News)
• Michigan-based retailer Meijer will purchase a portion of power generated from a large-scale solar project in Texas to offset carbon emissions from its operations. (WJRT)
UTILITIES: Ohio’s ratepayer advocate asks federal regulators to eliminate an incentive for utilities to join a regional transmission organization, which generates about $26.5 million a year for utilities and acts as a windfall for shareholders. (Utility Dive)
OIL AND GAS:
• Bipartisan pressure is mounting in Congress to ban Russian oil imports as the country continues to escalate its war on Ukraine. (CNN)
• Kansas regulators approve a settlement forgiving hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and natural gas costs for marketers and customers who misappropriated gas supplies during a February 2021 polar vortex. (Wichita Eagle)
COAL: Wisconsin officials announce a $15 million state grant to redevelop a former coal plant site and relocate coal piles in Green Bay. (Green Bay Press Gazette)
CARBON CAPTURE: Carbon dioxide pipeline critics question the longstanding political ties of developers looking to build projects through the Midwest. (Aberdeen News)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Wall Street analysts support Ford’s plan to internally separate its electric and internal combustion vehicle businesses, though they question whether it can hit profit margin targets while growing production. (CNBC)
EMISSIONS: Ann Arbor, Michigan’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped roughly 20% in 2020 during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to city officials. (MLive)
EFFICIENCY: A new partnership will help at least 100 Indiana manufacturers optimize energy efficiency upgrades to reduce energy costs by up to 20%. (Inside Indiana Business)