OIL & GAS:
• The author of Ohio legislation that would label natural gas as “green energy” says it is meant to help large natural gas users meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing standards. (Energy News Network)
• The same bill would also open state parks and other public land to oil and gas drilling, a politically controversial idea for the last decade that could be approved by the Ohio legislature as soon as today. (Energy News Network)
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COAL:
• Michigan utility Consumers Energy has hired a consulting firm to determine if property at two retiring coal plants could be suitable for solar and battery storage. (MiBiz)
• Residents call on Michigan regulators to reject DTE Energy’s long term plan, saying it wouldn’t close major coal plants fast enough. (Crain’s Detroit Business, subscription)
PIPELINES:
• The Keystone pipeline has had nearly two dozen spills since it came into service in 2010, culminating in the worst incident to date last week. (CBS News)
• Iowa county officials give initial approval for an ordinance that would create setback distances for carbon pipelines, though some residents raise concerns about the allowance of waivers. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
CLIMATE: Major utilities in Michigan and Minnesota could oppose more aggressive renewable energy legislation with Democrats in control of both state governments next year. (Bridge Michigan, MPR News)
SOLAR:
• Major automaker Stellantis is partnering with DTE Energy to build 400 MW of solar to power southeastern Michigan vehicle production sites. (Detroit News)
• Solar advocates hope a recent ruling by Wisconsin regulators opens more opportunities for third-party financing for solar projects. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
• A developer pursues plans for a roughly 1,500-acre solar project in central Michigan. (WLNS)
• Des Moines, Iowa, officials approve plans for two solar projects on city-owned land that would power an animal control facility and a greenhouse. (KCCI)
CARBON CAPTURE: Researchers say Decatur, Illinois’s geological features make it an ideal location for carbon capture and sequestration projects. (Herald & Review)
EFFICIENCY: Illinois continues to fall in national energy efficiency rankings despite a sweeping climate change bill signed into law last year. (Axios)
GRID: AES Ohio proposes a $145.1 million project to build two new substations and transmission lines to support expected load growth from electric vehicle manufacturing plants. (RTO Insider, subscription)
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OVERSIGHT: Federal energy regulators are poised to act this week on transmission siting, pipeline rate disputes and two crucial gas pipeline certificates in what could be Democrat Richard Glick’s last meeting as chairperson. (S&P Global)
COMMENTARY:
• A Minnesota nonprofit says hydropower, nuclear and carbon capture and storage should be part of the state’s carbon-free power goals. (MinnPost)
• A columnist says Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine should veto two legislation amendments that would label natural gas as “green energy” and open state parks and public lands to oil and gas drilling. (Ohio Capital Journal)
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