GRID: Ann Arbor, Michigan, is among a handful of U.S. cities where residents are seeking to create locally owned utilities to make their grid more resilient to climate change and speed the clean energy transition. (Inside Climate News)
POLITICS:
• Political analysts say the damage to Illinois Democrats from the recent guilty verdicts of political figures tied to former House Speaker Michael Madigan is unlikely to boost Republicans in the deeply blue state. (Chicago Tribune)
• Exelon expects to take a $173 million loss on a lawsuit related to the Illinois political bribery scandal involving its ComEd subsidiary. (Utility Dive)
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SOLAR:
• Columbus, Ohio, officials break ground on two solar projects totaling 45 MW: “We need to lead the way, particularly because the state has been MIA.” (WOSU)
• Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio joins Republicans to pass a measure overturning the Biden administration’s suspension of tariffs on Chinese solar components that pass through other countries. (Cleveland.com)
• Opponents may not have much power to stop a proposed 5 MW solar project in central Illinois because of a recent state law that removes local oversight of projects. (Illinois Times)
POLICY: Indiana lawmakers end their 2023 legislative session after passing several utility-friendly bills that could pass more costs onto consumers and slow renewable energy development. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
STORAGE: Three Indiana utilities could save their customers a combined $73 million by developing battery storage instead of building new gas plants, according to a new report. (RTO Insider, subscription)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Electric vehicle startups including Rivian and Lordstown Motors are struggling financially even though electric vehicle adoption rates are increasing. (Marketplace)
• Four electric buses have helped to reduce costs and emissions in Iowa City, and local officials want to buy more. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
NUCLEAR: Federal nuclear regulators will conduct a special inspection of an Ohio nuclear plant to investigate ground settlement issues that could impair the plant’s structural integrity. (Cleveland Scene)
HYDROGEN: A utility operating in several Great Plains states launches a feasibility study into the potential of generating hydrogen from coal. (Daily Energy Insider)
BIOFUELS: Ethanol continues to be a hot-button political issue, even as researchers say it has not lived up to its climate and energy-security promises touted 15 years ago. (Grist)
COMMENTARY:
• Wind and solar power deliver major benefits to local economies by creating jobs with strong potential for career advancement, a Minnesota clean energy advocate writes. (Post Bulletin)
• A GOP state senator from Iowa says the state should capitalize on its renewable energy development by investing in modern grid infrastructure. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
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