POLITICS:
• FBI agents’ attempts to uncover information about four allies of former House Speaker Michael Madigan found no evidence that they performed work for ComEd despite receiving sizable monthly payments from the utility. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• An FBI raid in 2019 uncovered a vital list of lobbyists who acted as conduits between Madigan and the utility in a case that prosecutors say resulted in a widespread bribery scheme. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
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NUCLEAR: Michigan hires an engineering firm to launch a nuclear feasibility study that could help determine whether new reactors are built in the state as part of a clean energy strategy. (MLive)
SOLAR:
• Residents living near a proposed 200 MW central Indiana solar project ask a judge to reverse a local permit approved for the project. (Kokomo Tribune)
• A Nebraska city is working through contractual agreements with a developer of a planned 1.3 MW community solar project. (Chadron Record)
COAL:
• The Department of Energy awards an $8 million grant to the University of North Dakota to study the potential for extracting rare earth metals from coal, a first step to potential commercialization. (Grand Forks Herald)
• The Inflation Reduction Act will create financial challenges for coal plants, which experts say will allow agencies to craft more stringent power plant emission rules that would be minor compared to financial constraints. (E&E News)
UTILITIES: A utility providing electric service in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota files long-term plans calling for a new liquefied natural gas storage facility, 200 MW of solar by 2028 and repowering four wind projects. (Daily Energy Insider)
CLIMATE: Rapid City will apply for $1 million in federal climate planning grants after the state of South Dakota declined to apply for the money. (South Dakota Searchlight)
OIL & GAS: Biden administration officials announce the first $196 million of grants in a $1 billion program to repair and replace aging and leaking U.S. natural gas pipelines. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Despite an overall strong quarterly sales performance, Ford lost its No. 2 spot in the electric vehicle segment to cross-town rival General Motors. (Detroit News)
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COMMENTARY:
• A Chicago editorial board calls for transparency from utilities that use the practice of customer “risk ranking” that can lead to faster disconnections for low-income ratepayers. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• A former Department of Energy regional director says fossil fuel interests have waged disinformation campaigns to block clean energy efforts at the local and state levels. (The Hill)
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