Midwest Energy News is one of five regional services published by the Energy News Network. Today’s edition was compiled by Andy Balaskovitz.
Share this newsletter | Manage subscriptions | Support our work
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: LG Energy Solution announces a $1.7 billion expansion in western Michigan to produce lithium ion battery cell components for electric vehicles, marking the state’s second major EV announcement in recent months. (Bridge Michigan)
ALSO:
• After a long history of opposing environmental regulations and questioning climate change, Koch Industries has emerged as one of the biggest financial backers of the battery industry. (Wall Street Journal)
• County officials in St. Louis move to relax requirements for commercial property owners to install electric vehicle charging stations as the original rules proved onerous and costly. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Sponsored link
Advancing Renewables Conference
The 17th annual Advancing Renewables Conference will be held April 26-27 at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Industry leaders will discuss current topics in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Join us at the forefront of renewable energy!
advancingrenewables.com
TRANSMISSION: Utilities looking to build a controversial transmission line between Iowa and Wisconsin appeal a court decision blocking a Mississippi River crossing, arguing that construction delays are jeopardizing clean energy and grid reliability. (Wisconsin State Journal)
OHIO: A federal judge gives attorneys for FirstEnergy and its shareholders 24 hours to disclose which company officials ordered bribes to secure favorable legislation. (Ohio Capital Journal)
COAL: Power plant owners begin the process of potentially retiring more than 3,000 MW of coal power in grid operator PJM’s territory after more than 1,000 MW shut down last year. (Utility Dive)
WIND:
• Southwestern Iowa county officials say they are willing to revisit a recently rejected moratorium on wind development. (KMALand)
• American Electric Power opens a 998 MW wind project in Oklahoma as the Columbus, Ohio-based utility advances its clean energy plan. (Columbus Dispatch)
PIPELINES: South Dakota county officials consider a new zoning ordinance adding setback restrictions to transmission pipelines as developers detail plans for a carbon dioxide pipeline through the state. (Aberdeen News)
BIOFUELS: Additional research into the environmental effects of a former Nebraska ethanol plant is in jeopardy after state lawmakers exclude funding in a recent budget plan. (Lincoln Journal Star)
SOLAR:
• The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will use nearly $730,000 in federal funding to install solar power on nine tribal buildings in Minnesota. (Minnesota Reformer)
• An 8.5 MW community solar project in Nebraska should be finished in the coming weeks, and more than half of the project’s shares have already been purchased. (KCAU)
RENEWABLES:
• A northern Michigan city leads others in the state by achieving a 100% renewable energy target for city operations. (9&10 News)
• DTE Energy’s voluntary renewable energy subscription program has surpassed 50,000 residential subscribers as about 500 new customers join each week. (Solar Industry Magazine)
COMMENTARY: An Indigenous artist and pipeline activist in Michigan says state and federal officials should recognize tribal sovereignty and move to shut down the Line 5 pipeline. (The Nation)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West