Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois
House passes bill to bar officials convicted of corruption from holding public office — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois lawmakers advance an ethics bill barring anyone convicted of certain crimes while in office from serving again, two weeks after guilty verdicts were handed down in the “ComEd Four” trial.
Indiana
I&M plans $61M northeast Indiana upgrade project — Inside Indiana Business
Indiana Michigan Power will invest $61 million to rebuild nearly 25 miles of transmission lines in two northeastern Indiana counties.
BP subsidiary agrees to record $40M penalty and pollution-cutting steps at Lake Michigan refinery — Associated Press
A BP subsidiary agrees to pay a $40 million penalty and install pollution control equipment at a northwestern Indiana refinery as part of a settlement with the federal government.
Draft EPA rule could impact nearly 50 Indiana coal ash dumps — Indiana Capital Chronicle
Nearly 50 Indiana coal ash storage sites would be subject to new federal regulations released last week to curb pollution from certain landfills and ponds for the first time.
EPA rule would force cleanup of legacy coal ash, potentially affecting cleanup at Michigan City generating station — Times of Northwest Indiana
Environmental groups that have long pushed to clean up coal ash at a Northwest Indiana coal plant say recently proposed federal cleanup rules are the “collective moment that we have long been waiting for.”
Michigan
Detroit’s Belle Isle Park adds EV charging stations — Detroit News
Michigan officials announce the installation of two electric vehicle fast-charging stations on Belle Isle, a state park in the city of Detroit.
Amidst Clinton County green energy uproar, MSU expert explains wind turbines — WLNS
A Michigan State University researcher refutes claims that wind and solar projects cause widespread harm to wildlife or the environment as local officials consider banning commercial scale renewable energy projects.
DTE Energy shareholders reject transparency proposal — Energy and Policy Institute
Shareholders of Detroit-based utility DTE Energy reject a proposal that would have required increased transparency and annual reporting on the utility’s political spending.
After ‘most expensive storm in history,’ DTE vows to invest in grid improvements — Detroit News
The CEO of Detroit-based DTE Energy details the utility’s five-year, $9 billion plan to build a “grid of the future” to prevent extended outages that were experienced last year.
What a wind, solar moratorium in Clinton County means — Lansing State Journal
A Michigan county approves funding for staff overtime and legal work related to developing a moratorium on utility-scale wind and solar projects.
County board arranges solar energy presentation — Alpena News
As a county debates solar regulations, a Michigan State expert will present this week on how solar and agricultural production can coexist.
‘Leading with love’: East side resident lays the foundation for neighborhood climate resiliency — Planet Detroit
A Detroit activist’s community space on the city’s east side also serves as a crucial way to help historically under-resourced neighborhoods adapt to climate change.
EV corridor to run nearly 900 miles from Kalamazoo to Quebec, US and Canada officials say — Detroit News
U.S. and Canadian officials announce a 900-mile electric vehicle charging corridor between southwestern Michigan and Quebec City that will include chargers every 50 miles.
Minnesota
Minneapolis commissions environmental review in final stretch of 2040 Plan lawsuit — Star Tribune
Minneapolis officials will conduct an environmental review of the city’s 2040 comprehensive plan that calls for more housing density after activists won court challenges claiming that the city failed to study the environmental impacts of the plan.
Minneapolis climate equity action plan: How is the city approaching climate justice? — MinnPost
The latest draft of Minneapolis’ climate action plan seeks to address inequities and reduce energy costs for low-income residents, though some advocates say dedicated funding is needed to ensure goals are met.
State lawmakers agree to ‘historic’ environment and climate bill — MPR News
Minnesota lawmakers agree on another major energy and environment bill that calls for investments in natural resources, environmental justice and emission reductions.
Over half of the contaminated water leaked at nuclear plant recovered, Xcel says — Associated Press
More than half of the contaminated water that recently leaked into groundwater from a Minnesota nuclear plant has been recovered, officials say.
Minnesota’s new rebate powers up ‘Year of the e-bike’ — MPR News
Minnesota lawmakers set aside $4 million for rebates for electric bikes, which are growing in popularity among residents.
Ohio
Ohio Environmentalists, Oil Companies Battle State Over Dumping of Fracking Wastewater — Inside Climate News
Ohio fossil fuel companies join environmental groups in objecting to current practices for disposing liquid fracking waste, which risk contaminating groundwater and interfering with oil and gas production.
Ohio solar projects face an unclear path around local opposition — Energy News Network
Ohio clean energy advocates say state regulators have been inconsistent and arbitrary with how they weigh local opposition to solar projects, causing uncertainty for developers.
Wisconsin
Madison preparing for big leap in air quality monitoring — Wisconsin State Journal
Madison, Wisconsin, plans to use a $430,000 federal grant to install a citywide network of dozens of air quality sensors to gather real-time data on air particulate matter pollution.
Wisconsin is facing longer and more frequent heat waves and storms, but its relatively cooler weather and access to water could still make it a refuge for people trying to avoid the worst effects of climate change.
Judge signals hesitance to shut down pipeline, pleads with Wisconsin tribe to work with oil company — Associated Press
A federal judge signals he will not force Enbridge to shut down its Line 5 pipeline despite the risk of erosion or rupture on the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reservation in Wisconsin.
National
Offshore wind in the Midwest? Some Great Lakes leaders think so. — States Newsroom
A growing number of Great Lakes states are considering options for offshore wind energy despite challenges involving winter ice cover, insufficient port infrastructure and public opposition.
Companies Object to Proposed SEC Rule Requiring Them to Track Emissions Up and Down Their Supply Chains — Inside Climate News
Industry groups and GOP critics say a proposed SEC requirement for publicly traded companies to disclose “Scope 3” emissions along their supply chain is overly burdensome, while environmental supporters say compliance would be easy.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Energy News Roundup: Line 5 negotiations in Michigan, funding for clean energy in Illinois
