OHIO: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is yet to release the full scope of public records related to FirstEnergy’s dealings with a former top regulator and lawmakers, causing an ongoing “black cloud” to hang above the agency. (Energy News Network/Eye on Ohio)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls the $369 billion Inflation Reduction Act passed by the Senate over the weekend a “game changer” that will launch “affordable clean energy” across the U.S. (States Newsroom)
• Extensions of wind and solar tax incentives in the federal legislation could further politically divide states that have welcomed renewable energy sources and states that have put up roadblocks. (E&E News)
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PIPELINES: Construction on the Line 3 pipeline replacement in northern Minnesota that breached an aquifer is causing more groundwater to leak, state officials reported last week. (Brainerd Dispatch)
GRID: A Minnesota utility regulator says potential capacity shortfalls in grid operator MISO’s region are “deeply unfair” for states that have made grid reliability investments but are required to make up for shortfalls elsewhere. (E&E News)
TRANSPORTATION:
• Public school officials in St. Paul, Minnesota, will apply for federal support to replace up to 25 diesel school buses with electric or low-emission models. (Star Tribune)
• Illinois agencies are engaged in several regulatory planning efforts aimed at achieving a goal to put 1 million electric vehicles on the state’s roads by 2030. (Capitol News Illinois)
• Electric bikes are experiencing growing interest among St. Louis-area bicyclists. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
RENEWABLES: The Center for Rural Affairs recently developed a renewable energy siting guide to help local officials with zoning and regulatory policies. (KMALand)
SOLAR:
• A 100 MW MidAmerican Energy solar project began operating last month in central Iowa. (The Messenger)
• A developer sues a southeastern Michigan township that recently rejected its plans for a 159-acre solar project. (MLive)
OIL & GAS: A North Dakota study to determine the potential for underground salt caverns to store gas and liquids is running millions of dollars over budget. (Bismarck Tribune)
COAL: Missouri regulators last week withdrew a controversial coal ash permitting plan following widespread confusion about which plants and coal ash ponds would be eligible. (E&E News, subscription)
EMISSIONS: A growing movement promotes building with wood products sourced from urban environments that also are valuable carbon-trapping resources. (Wisconsin State Journal)
COMMENTARY:
• Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act passed last year positions the state to particularly benefit from federal climate legislation that provides incentives for new renewable energy projects, an editorial board writes. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• A Kansas City clean air advocate says Evergy should provide a more detailed accounting of its future fossil fuels portfolio as the city considers a broad climate action plan. (Kansas City Star)
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