GEOTHERMAL: A Minnesota school is part of a growing number of U.S. colleges and universities pursuing geothermal district energy systems to help meet long-term emission-reduction targets. (Energy News Network)
OHIO: Federal regulators will require FirstEnergy to refund customers after an audit found the utility didn’t properly track $71 million it spent on lobbying for House Bill 6. (Associated Press)
POLITICS: Lobbyists for a company involved in a controversial clean energy financing program in St. Louis contributed a total of $1,500 to local elected officials while they debated the future of the program. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
RENEWABLES:
• An Indiana bill would designate local communities as wind or solar ready if they voluntarily adopt state-issued standards for utility-scale projects. (WFYI)
• DTE Energy will issue a request for proposals to develop up to 500 MW of wind, solar and battery storage over the next two years as demand grows in the utility’s voluntary renewable energy program. (MiBiz)
SOLAR:
• President Biden extends Trump-era tariffs on most solar panels that are imported from China and other countries. (Associated Press)
• An eastern Iowa county will consider a six-month moratorium on utility-scale solar projects to give it time to revisit zoning regulations, though the move wouldn’t affect a project already under development. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Lordstown, Ohio may provide a glimpse into Michigan’s future as automakers make major electric vehicle and battery investments and help stimulate local economies. (Bridge Michigan)
• Kansas awards $2 million in grants for electric vehicle charging stations along key highway corridors. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIFICATION: Ann Arbor, Michigan is partnering with a nonprofit to help residents electrify homes and transition from gas-powered appliances. (MLive)
PIPELINES:
• An Iowa county updates pipeline zoning regulations involving drainage districts as a developer pursues a cross-state carbon dioxide pipeline project. (Storm Lake Times)
• Multiple Midwest carbon pipeline proposals have triggered disputes over the potential use of eminent domain to secure land for the projects. (Reuters)
EMISSIONS: A campus farm at the University of Michigan commits to a carbon neutral emissions target by 2026. (Michigan Daily)
COMMENTARY:
• An Iowa lawmaker says proposed state legislation creating a biofuel sales requirement includes waivers and tax credits for fuel retailers. (The Messenger)
• Ohio officials need top-down reforms to change the way people are selected to serve on the state’s Public Utilities Commission, an editorial board writes. (Cleveland.com)