OIL & GAS: An Ohio judge denies environmental groups’ request to halt a new state law that enables state agencies to permit oil and gas drilling under state parks. (Cleveland.com)
POLITICS: A longtime Chicago precinct captain says he was paid hundreds of thousands of dollars through contracts with ComEd to do political work for former House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Chicago Sun-Times)
Sponsored Link
Indiana Transportation Electrification Bootcamp
The Electrification Coalition invites you to our Friday, April 14 Virtual Indiana Transportation Electrification Bootcamp. Presentation, panel, and discussion topics will include EV policies, economic benefits, the role of state agencies and utilities, rural electrification, and electric school buses.
SOLAR:
• Wisconsin regulators approve plans for a 250 MW solar project that has been touted as the state’s largest solar project. (Stevens Point Journal)
• A developer has acquired more than a square mile of farmland for a large solar project in Kansas. (Lawrence Times)
• Iowa regulators waive a required public hearing for a proposed solar and battery storage project based on lack of opposition. (Daily Democrat)
WIND:
• A coalition of Democratic lawmakers, environmental groups and labor unions back a plan for an offshore wind pilot program in Lake Michigan near Chicago. (WREX)
• A western Iowa county advances a proposal to nearly double wind turbine setback distances based on residents’ opposition. (Daily Sentinel)
NUCLEAR: The owner of a closed southwestern Michigan nuclear plant asks the state to commit $300 million to help reopen the plant. (Herald Palladium)
CARBON CAPTURE: BP is seeking local permission to start seismic testing for a potential carbon capture and storage project in northern Indiana. (Herald Journal)
COAL: North Dakota’s lignite coal industry generated $5.8 billion in economic activity last year, or 4% of the state’s gross business volume, researchers find. (Daily News)
HYDROELECTRIC: Plans for an 1,800 MW pumped hydroelectric storage project in South Dakota would need to overcome dozens of feasibility and impact studies ahead of a planned completion in 2035. (Mitchell Republic)
CLIMATE:
• A coalition of organizations call on top Michigan lawmakers to take stronger action on climate change. (Michigan Advance)
• At a conference in Detroit, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she is a “climate optimist” as she touts her administration’s record on clean energy. (MLive)
TRANSPORTATION: Federal funding will cover nearly half of the $505 million cost to build a bus-rapid transit project in St. Paul, Minnesota, by 2025. (Star Tribune)
Sponsored Link
Register for the Midwest Solar Expo
The Midwest Solar Expo brings together hundreds of solar & clean energy leaders to advance Midwest markets through premium education, hands-on training, exhibition, receptions, and powerful networking! Join the Midwest’s premier solar business event this May in Chicago! Register today.
BIOGAS: Construction has started on a $30.5 million plan for a renewable natural gas processing plant at an Indiana landfill. (WNDU)
COMMENTARY:
• A former Department of Energy official says GOP-led states will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the Inflation Reduction Act while Republican lawmakers seek to repeal key funding provisions in the law. (The Hill)
• A Missouri clean energy advocate says the state could be a clean energy leader by taking advantage of provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act. (Columbia Missourian)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West