GRID: The Iowa Supreme Court temporarily blocks a state law that had given incumbent utilities first rights to build new transmission projects, a case that could have high stakes amid plans for a major transmission buildout. (Reuters)
UTILITIES:
• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs a bill allowing utilities to recover “unexpected” additional costs from customers, prompting Duke Energy to seek the rehearing of a state Supreme Court case in which it had previously been denied retroactive ratemaking. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
• Michigan regulators increase the amount of bill credits available to ratepayers subjected to prolonged power outages and take steps to require utilities to restore power faster. (MLive)
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SOLAR:
• Clean energy advocates say slashing the rate Indiana utilities must pay customers for surplus solar power they share on the power grid has made the state an outlier on rooftop solar policy. (Herald Bulletin)
• A Minnesota aluminum can manufacturer plans an onsite, 6-acre solar project to offset its power use. (Free Press)
CARBON CAPTURE:
• An Iowa bill to restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines faces an uphill climb in the state Senate despite broad public opposition to eminent domain for such projects. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Carbon pipeline opponents say capturing carbon from ethanol plants and converting it into renewable fuel methanol is a more “logical” alternative to transporting the emissions to underground storage sites. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
NUCLEAR:
• Despite public safety assurances, residents in a Minnesota town where contaminated water has leaked from a nuclear plant remain on edge. (KARE)
• A public open house tonight will allow residents to ask questions and raise concerns about recent water leaks discovered at the plant. (WCCO)
• The president and CEO of Wisconsin-based Dairyland Power is appointed to a nuclear industry task force to help promote nuclear as a clean energy source. (La Crosse Tribune)
BIOGAS:
• Companies look to overcome state environmental reviews and local opposition while pursuing waste-to-energy projects in Minnesota and Wisconsin. (La Crosse Tribune)
• U.S. natural gas utility officials remain interested in renewable natural gas as financial analysts worry that growing interest could drive up acquisition costs and lower rates of return. (S&P Global)
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COMMENTARY:
• Ohio GOP state Rep. Bill Seitz, a longtime critic of clean energy mandates, discusses his support for an energy efficiency bill that includes less stringent utility targets and allows customers to opt out. (Cleveland.com)
• An Iowa editorial board urges state lawmakers to pass a bill that would restrict the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
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