COAL ASH: More than 9 out of 10 coal ash impoundments nationwide are contaminating groundwater in violation of federal rules, highlighting the need for more urgent action even as the federal government steps up enforcement, according to a new report from environmental groups. (Energy News Network)
ALSO:
• Indiana ranks among the worst states for coal ash storage, hosting 80 such facilities with 16 compliance failures caused by leaking, according to the report. (Indianapolis Star)
• The report also finds only half of the power plants with coal ash storage sites known to be contaminating groundwater agree that cleanup is necessary. (Inside Climate News)
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WIND:
• The fate of wind power in a central Michigan county may be decided next week when citizen-initiated referendums will be held in four townships and at least a dozen township officials who have supported wind energy face recalls. (Bridge Michigan)
• Wind surpasses hydroelectric power as the largest source of electricity generated in South Dakota, which now produces twice as much electricity as it uses. (South Dakota Searchlight)
STORAGE: A proposed hydroelectric pumped storage project on the Missouri River in South Dakota could help store wind and solar power for days, but critics raise concerns about potential impacts to water quality and recreation. (South Dakota Searchlight)
POWER PLANTS: AES Indiana plans to convert more than 1,000 MW of coal generation to natural gas, which the utility says would cost $381 million less over 20 years compared to storage and renewables. (Utility Dive)
PIPELINES:
• A developer sought to reduce its obligations to sample and restore topsoil for the construction of its proposed carbon pipeline through Iowa but has rescinded the proposal based on landowner feedback. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• State utility commissions and local courts are refereeing preliminary disputes between carbon pipeline developers and opponents over access to the names of landowners in the path of proposed projects. (E&E News)
SOLAR:
• A Native American-operated Minnesota solar company aims to lower heating bills and emissions across tribal lands and beyond. (Sahan Journal)
• Top Indiana officials will join a developer today to launch the second phase of a $1.5 billion solar project in northern Indiana. (Inside Indiana Business)
• A new southern Indiana solar and storage company aims to serve customers in the greater Louisville area. (WHAS)
OIL & GAS: Oil and gas companies ask the Biden administration to exempt hundreds of thousands of small U.S. wells from upcoming rules requiring drillers to find and plug methane leaks. (Reuters)
ACTIVISM: During a Wisconsin energy panel discussion, Indigenous leaders say Native and non-Native people are building coalitions around opposition to energy projects on tribal land. (Badger Herald)
CLIMATE: Supporters of an Ann Arbor, Michigan, ballot initiative have spent $130,000 in support of a proposal to raise taxes for local climate initiatives. (MLive)
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EFFICIENCY: A Wisconsin nonprofit launches a pilot program that plans to integrate solar and heat pump technologies into existing weatherization programs to further reduce energy costs for low-income households. (La Crosse Tribune)
UTILITIES: Chris Crane, the CEO of Chicago-based Exelon, plans to retire at the end of the year. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
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