SOLAR:
• A Minneapolis solar cooperative and an affordable housing nonprofit have devised a solar financing structure that slashes renters’ utility bills far more than typical community solar programs. (Energy News Network)
• A company plans to invest $220 million in Ohio to build one of the largest solar panel manufacturing plants in the country and create 850 jobs. (Columbus Dispatch)
COAL: Environmental advocates question why Indiana lawmakers fixated on decommissioning wind and solar projects aren’t applying the same focus to coal ash storage sites. (Indianapolis Star)
Job listings 50% off
Looking to spread the word about your open position? Share your posting on our job board — rates are half price for the rest of March! Listings are also included in our weekly newsletter.
OHIO: Following former House Speaker Larry Householder’s conviction last week in a power plant bailout scheme, Attorney General Dave Yost seeks to resume the state’s civil case against the bailout scheme. (Ohio Capital Journal)
UTILITIES:
• While an upcoming Illinois corruption trial of ComEd and political figures doesn’t directly involve former House Speaker Michael Madigan, his role in state politics will loom large in the courtroom. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore went from rising corporate executive to defendant in the corruption case. (Chicago Tribune)
• Illinois’ top energy regulator plans to step down prior to the end of her five-year appointed term but says it is unrelated to the ComEd trial. (ABC 7)
• Detroit-based DTE Energy cut its operations budget to meet earnings projections months before a historic ice storm last month left nearly 500,000 customers without power. (Bridge Michigan)
EFFICIENCY: Upgrading Minneapolis homes with weatherization and high-efficiency electric appliances could cost up to $1.24 billion more than conventional home upgrades over the next two decades, according to a new report. (Star Tribune)
ELECTRIFICATION: Ann Arbor, Michigan, officials seek to negotiate a new gas franchise agreement with DTE Energy that aligns with the city’s goal towards all-electric buildings. (MLive)
OIL & GAS: Five of the worst wastewater-polluting U.S. oil refineries are located in the Great Lakes region, including one that discharges directly into Lake Michigan, according to an environmental group’s analysis of U.S. EPA data. (WOOD-TV8)
GRID: Missouri regulators heard competing concerns and support for the Grain Belt Express transmission project during public hearings last week. (News Tribune)
WIND: A Kansas wind turbine components manufacturing plant prepares to resume operations after closing for several months. (Hutchinson News)
NUCLEAR: An Illinois state senator seeks to end the state’s “archaic and arbitrary ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants.” (The Times)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A demonstration project seeks $10 million from the state of Minnesota to electrify diesel-powered mining trucks. (Inforum)
• A diesel-powered ferry that transports passengers from mainland Michigan to Mackinac Island will be converted to run on electricity. (Michigan Radio)
COMMENTARY:
• A Sierra Club organizer says Missouri residents should speak out in support of a transmission line project that would deliver economic and environmental benefits to ratepayers. (Missouri Independent)
• A Michigan architect says the state’s utilities hold a tight grip on programs that would allow customers to invest in solar to offset their electric costs. (Record-Eagle)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West