CLEAN ENERGY: Southern Illinois residents share their visions for what a just transition from coal might look like, including opportunities for residents who never had a chance to work mining or power plant jobs. (Energy News Network)
TRANSMISSION:
• The U.S. Justice Department appeals a federal judge’s ruling that halted construction of a controversial transmission line through a wildlife refuge area between Iowa and Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
• Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs legislation aimed at strengthening landowners’ rights in eminent domain cases involving various electric utilities in the wake of the Grain Belt Express transmission project. (KTTN)
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WIND:
• Wind farm operators and turbine manufacturers are devising ways to reuse turbine blades to keep them out of landfills. (Canary Media)
• A developer says a proposed southwestern Iowa wind project would easily comply with minimum setback distances from non-participating properties. (KMALand)
OIL & GAS: Environmental groups oppose plans for an $800 million natural gas plant in southern Michigan ahead of a state regulatory decision on whether the project meets air quality regulations. (CBS Detroit)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Auto industry analysts say electric vehicle startups are under increasing pressure to start producing vehicles and generate revenue after securing initial capital funding. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
• Iowa’s most populous county begins transitioning fleet vehicles to electric models, which officials say will save on fuel and maintenance costs. (Des Moines Register)
GRID:
• A recent survey shows grid operator MISO could have capacity shortfalls or potential surpluses in the coming years, depending on how markets react to the most recent planning resource auction. (Utility Dive)
• Electric customers in Ames, Iowa, are being asked to curtail power usage today during expected record-high temperatures. (Ames Tribune)
• MidAmerican Energy encourages various home power-saving measures during a coming heat wave, but utility officials say the company is prepared for a spike in power demand. (KCCI)
• An expected “heat dome” over Indiana will drive up temperatures and is expected to spike electricity usage during peak demand periods. (Herald-Times)
SOLAR:
• The president of a solar manufacturing firm with operations in Minnesota says it’s still risky to import solar cells from southeast Asia countries despite the Biden administration’s pause on solar tariffs. (Energy News Network)
• Northeastern Indiana county officials mull commercial solar zoning regulations as a moratorium on projects remains in effect. (News Sun)
COMMENTARY:
• Policy changes and funding relief by the Biden administration to promote biofuel production should help Nebraska corn growers, fuel producers and rural communities, an editorial board writes. (Norfolk Daily News)
• Clean energy upgrades helped a renewable energy industry pioneer recently sell his Minneapolis duplex, a columnist writes. (Star Tribune)
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