COAL ASH: Grid operators PJM and MISO tell U.S. EPA officials that enforcement of new coal ash regulations threaten grid reliability in their vast service territories. (Inside Climate News)
PIPELINES:
• The company behind a Midwest carbon pipeline proposal has close ties with Iowa officials and regulators charged with approving a large part of its route, according to a review of public documents. (Reuters)
• In South Dakota, state regulators’ closely watched decision on the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline will be based on four factors. (Argus Leader)
• North Dakota regulators will hold a permitting hearing next week for a $122 million oil pipeline previously stalled by the pandemic. (Bismarck Tribune)
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers creates the state’s first office of environmental justice through executive order after Republican lawmakers stripped the plan from a budget proposal last year. (Wisconsin State Journal)
OHIO:
• FirstEnergy tells investors it will pay $37.5 million to settle four ratepayer lawsuits stemming from the House Bill 6 corruption scandal. (Cleveland.com)
• Upcoming depositions in a FirstEnergy shareholder lawsuit could reveal more information about the utility’s role in the bribery scheme. (Ohio Capital Journal)
STORAGE: Consumers Energy and DTE Energy, which jointly own a large pumped hydro storage facility along Lake Michigan, sue the contractor hired for a $500 million overhaul, claiming “defective work” and missed deadlines. (MiBiz)
CLIMATE:
• Public comments are due Friday on Minnesota’s proposed statewide climate action plan, which lays out broad goals as well as specific actions to reduce emissions and slow climate impacts. (MPR News)
• Columbus, Ohio, keeps getting hotter, with annual average temperatures having increased 3.7 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, an analysis finds. (Axios)
SOLAR:
• Neighborhood opponents criticize a proposed 159-acre southeastern Michigan solar project as an “eyesore” in a rural landscape. (MLive)
• Indiana utilities continue to put up roadblocks to maintaining net metering for rooftop solar customers, advocates say. (Indiana Public Broadcasting)
• Eastern Nebraska county officials seek outside counsel to help review what would be one of the largest solar projects in the state. (KMALand)
CLEAN ENERGY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture approves $35 million in grants and loans for North Dakota solar projects, electric cooperatives and other infrastructure. (Bismarck Tribune)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Wisconsin electric cooperative officials say a new fast-charging station at a convenience store is a “major milestone” for electric vehicle drivers in the area. (LaCrosse Tribune)
EFFICIENCY: Michigan officials release $5 million in revolving loan funds for three energy efficiency projects that would be paid back through energy savings. (Midland Daily News)
COMMENTARY:
• Saving a southwestern Michigan nuclear plant from its scheduled closure next month would help Gov. Gretchen Whitmer achieve long-term emissions-reduction goals, an editorial board writes. (Detroit News)
• A columnist applauds the development of an Indiana solar project on an industrial brownfield property that will also power a nearby wastewater treatment plant. (KPCnews.com)
• An editorial board says federal pandemic relief funding could be invested to take advantage of the Cleveland area’s wind energy manufacturing and engineering. (Cleveland.com)
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