Minneapolis program seeks to grow, diversify clean energy workforce

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

CLEAN ENERGY: A Minneapolis workforce training program that started at the beginning of the pandemic provides free job training in clean energy careers with an emphasis on recruiting people of color. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Wisconsin Republicans allege “mission creep” as state regulators expand a statewide energy conservation program to play a larger role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (Wisconsin State Journal)

SOLAR:
• Alliant Energy and the University of Wisconsin are expected to start construction next year on a 2.25 MW solar project that aims to demonstrate how solar and agriculture can be co-located. (WMTV)
• An Indiana school district expects a new solar installation to save it more than $1 million over the next 12 years. (WTHI)
• Central Indiana county planners recommend a short-term moratorium on commercial solar projects as local siting rules are developed. (Kokomo Tribune)
• Northeastern Indiana county officials next week will consider amending commercial solar regulations to include more setback restrictions and watershed protections. (News Sun)
• Kansas county officials send solar siting recommendations back to local planners that would ease restrictions on future large-scale projects. (Shawnee Mission Post)

GRID: Illinois lawmakers fail to advance legislation to create a statewide grid reliability task force, which environmental groups have called unnecessary. (E&E News, subscription)

PIPELINES:
• Members of a Wisconsin task force raise concerns that a pipeline relocation project could bring in some workers who are prone to sex trafficking crimes. (Green Bay Press Gazette)
• Michigan regulators could decide as early as this summer whether a tunnel project can move forward to house Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. (Detroit News)

CARBON CAPTURE: Democratic U.S. Senate candidates in Iowa raise doubts about the environmental benefits of carbon pipelines that capture emissions from ethanol plants. (Globe Gazette)

COAL: Duke Energy is removing a transmission tower at a former Ohio coal plant property that’s in the process of being redeveloped. (WCPO)

BIOENERGY: A North Dakota plant that converts agriculture waste into ethanol was recently fined $40,000 by state regulators for multiple violations and could face more fines if it doesn’t comply with state-mandated changes. (Grand Forks Herald)

Sponsored Link
Fresh Energy is hiring
Fresh Energy, a Minnesota-based clean energy nonprofit, is hiring a Senior Policy Associate, Energy Transition. Join the team and help create a just and equitable clean energy future that benefits all.

UTILITIES: Wisconsin’s annual winter heating shutoff moratorium ends later this week, after which utilities will resume disconnections. (NBC 26)

COMMENTARY: Indiana needs a “visionary, comprehensive” statewide electric vehicle charging plan that can help the state secure additional federal infrastructure funding, an editorial board writes. (Indianapolis Business Journal)

More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West