GRID: Michigan ranks among the top states for power outages in recent years as extreme weather, growing demand and aging infrastructure strain the power grid, according to a Climate Central analysis. (CNN)
ALSO:
• Nebraska Public Power District officials present plans for a new transmission line in central Nebraska. (News Channel Nebraska)
• Ameren Illinois hosts a public open house for a planned transmission project in Peoria to support community growth. (WMBD)
Sponsored Link
Southern Environmental Law Center is hiring
The Southern Environmental Law Center—one of the nation’s most powerful environmental defenders, rooted in the South—is hiring an Energy and Climate Communications Manager. This role will oversee regional energy communications, including solar and methane gas issues, to advance climate progress.
PIPELINES:
• A Minnesota judge rules that county officials wrongly blocked access to a private driveway that was a key access point for an Indigenous-led Line 3 pipeline protest. (Star Tribune)
• A growing number of Iowa landowners are calling local authorities with complaints about carbon pipeline surveyors accessing their property, though under state law they are not trespassing. (Radio Iowa)
SOLAR:
• Minnesota regulators are set to vote tomorrow on Xcel Energy’s massive Sherco Solar project after state and utility officials agreed to a price cap. (Star Tribune)
• Construction could start this year after local officials give final approval for a $164.7 million, 150 MW solar project in northern Indiana. (South Bend Tribune)
• Michigan’s second-largest city is seeing cost savings from a recently completed solar project that powers a water filtration and delivery plant along Lake Michigan. (FOX 17)
• Developers plan to submit an application this fall to state regulators for a $292 million, 300 MW solar project in northwestern Wisconsin. (WQOW)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Rivian’s Normal, Illinois manufacturing plant shows the potential for the electric vehicle industry to bring activity to former automotive-reliant communities in the Midwest. (Washington Post)
• A Michigan specialty vehicle manufacturer secures the first 2,000-unit pre-order for its walk-in electric delivery vans. (MiBiz)
• A Michigan startup unveils a new anode-free battery pack designed to cut costs by up to 50% while delivering up to 600 miles of driving range. (Reuters)
• An Illinois consumer advocacy group releases an online buyer’s guide for people considering buying an electric vehicle. (WCBU)
NUCLEAR: A year after nearly shutting down for financial reasons, an Illinois nuclear plant remains a local economic driver that provides key tax revenue for a school district. (WREX)
CLIMATE: The Biden administration prepares to announce a more than $3 billion program to fund projects that reduce or sequester greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and forestry. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
GEOTHERMAL: A first-of-its-kind program in Illinois creates group-buying options for residential geothermal heating and cooling projects. (WCIA)
Sponsored Link
Fresh Energy is hiring
Fresh Energy, a Minnesota-based clean energy nonprofit, is hiring a Digital Communications Associate to help advance Fresh Energy’s policy, program, and fundraising-related work.
HYDROELECTRIC: The University of Notre Dame recently dedicated a 2.5 MW hydroelectric facility that will generate about 7% of the campus’ electricity needs. (Environment and Energy Leader)
COMMENTARY: The owner and operator of one of the first Minneapolis gas stations to offer high-speed EV charging says Minnesota regulators shouldn’t allow Xcel Energy to dominate the charging marketplace. (Star Tribune)
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