COAL:
• The U.S. EPA denies six coal plants’ requests to keep dumping toxic ash in unlined or inadequately lined pits, including at sites in Michigan and North Dakota, as the agency ramps up enforcement. (Energy News Network)
• Missouri will use $5.8 million in federal funding to reclaim more than 10,000 acres of abandoned coal mines across the state. (FOX 2)
POLICY: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum threatens to sue Minnesota if it passes a law calling for carbon-free energy sources by 2040, arguing that it would harm North Dakota utilities. (Minnesota Reformer)
Sponsored Link
Fresh Energy seeks an executive director
Fresh Energy is seeking a charismatic and inspirational leader to serve as its next Executive Director. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to assume leadership of a prominent clean energy and climate policy nonprofit.
SOLAR:
• A Wisconsin business leader’s foundation has helped 161 schools and nonprofit organizations install 7.6 MW of solar despite the state’s lack of legal clarity around third party-owned solar projects. (Energy News Network)
• A southern Illinois community is poised to reject plans for a 40 MW solar project. (Journal Courier)
UTILITIES: South Dakota allows utilities to charge event sponsorship and other economic development-related expenses directly to ratepayers, which have totaled nearly $4 million in charges since 1995. (South Dakota Searchlight)
RENEWABLES: More than 40 Ohio townships banned wind or solar, or both, last year after a state law gave municipalities more control over project approvals. (WVXU)
BUILDINGS: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot plans to back a proposed ordinance that would ban natural gas hookups in most new buildings. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
WIND:
• Midwestern states with a high concentration of wind development likely benefited from the higher than average wind speeds that swept through over the last three months of 2022. (S&P Global)
• The North Dakota House unanimously passes a bill requiring landfills to receive state approval before accepting wind turbine blades. (Bismarck Tribune)
PIPELINES: Despite federal regulators approving its operating permit, construction damage from a St. Louis-area gas pipeline is still causing problems for landowners. (St. Louis Public Radio)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Retailers and electric vehicle charging groups raise concerns over Minnesota legislation that they say would allow Xcel Energy to own charging infrastructure and stifle the private market. (Utility Dive)
• Missouri Republicans revisit state legislation that would mostly block municipalities from requiring electric vehicle charging stations or require local governments to pay for them. (Missouri Independent)
• Amazon’s fleet of 26 electric vans are now making deliveries in Madison, Wisconsin. (WSAW)
GRID: Xcel Energy launches a new planning department dedicated to preparing for utility systems and an electric grid of the future. (Utility Dive)
ADVOCACY: Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio joins an industry group that promotes the use of natural gas as a way to reduce carbon emissions. (E&E News, subscription)
COMMENTARY: A Minnesota nonprofit leader says state lawmakers should reject attempts by a North Dakota coal industry group to water down carbon-free electricity legislation. (MinnPost)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West