SOLAR:
• An Illinois entrepreneur describes the challenge of bringing community solar to low-income communities, where many people are deeply skeptical of outsiders offering a deal. (Energy News Network)
• Iowa State University researchers are partnering with Alliant Energy on a pilot solar project that will also grow various fruits, vegetables and pollinator habitats. (Des Moines Register)
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OHIO:
• Closing arguments are set for today in the trial of former House Speaker Larry Householder and a GOP lobbyist charged with participating in a $60 million bribery scheme involving a power plant bailout law. (Associated Press)
• FirstEnergy subsidiary Energy Harbor, which owns the two nuclear plants at the heart of the corruption scandal, is sold to Vistra Corp. for $3.4 billion. (Cleveland.com)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Residents of Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood say they feel invisible and are withdrawing from the election process since the leaked report of a botched demolition of a former coal plant smokestack in 2020. (Chicago Tribune)
COAL: Indiana lawmakers refuse to hold hearings this session on bills that would regulate the safe disposal of coal ash, including from a facility along the Lake Michigan shoreline. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
GRID: Grid operator PJM warns of potential electricity shortages over the next seven years as fossil fuel generation comes offline despite growing demand, specifically citing Illinois’ sweeping clean energy law. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
UTILITIES:
• A top Minnesota energy regulator discusses the upcoming oversight role that he and others will play under the state’s clean energy law calling for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. (MinnPost)
• Most Michigan lawmakers who are set to consider increased accountability of the state’s regulated utilities have accepted significant campaign contributions from those companies. (Bridge Michigan)
• Michigan’s attorney general calls for stronger oversight of the state’s regulated utilities following prolonged power outages after recent storms. (WOOD-TV8)
• The Nebraska Public Power District will hold public meetings across the state to share a draft of its latest long-term energy plan. (Kearney Hub)
PIPELINES:
• A trial is set to proceed in Iowa over whether a carbon pipeline developer can access private property to survey land for a project. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• U.S. House Republicans hope to pass a sweeping energy package in the coming weeks that includes revamping debate over President Bidens’ denial of the Keystone XL pipeline. (Politico)
EFFICIENCY: A Nebraska state senator says the state needs to seek its $91 million share of the Inflation Reduction Act for energy efficiency, or risk losing it to other states. (Nebraska Examiner)
WIND: A former city council member in a suburb west of Minneapolis once again sues his city as he attempts to install a backyard wind turbine. (Star Tribune)
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POWER PLANTS: An Indiana Duke Energy natural gas plant resumes full operations after a fire forced a 10-day shutdown of the facility. (WTHR)
COMMENTARY: Michigan should tap its abundant mineral resources to build an in-state supply of materials needed to build electric vehicles and batteries, a policy expert writes. (Bridge Michigan)
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