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
Chicago-area startup banks on ethanol-fueled trucking as alternative to battery electric — Energy News Network
A Chicago-area startup develops technology to retrofit diesel engines to run on ethanol, betting that it’s a faster path to decarbonize heavy-duty trucking than waiting for electric replacements.
13 Illinois clean energy contractor incubator hubs get $21 million investment — WREX
Illinois launches a clean energy contractor incubator program with $21 million in funding for 13 community-based hubs across the state designed to help contractors grow their businesses.
High demand for solar panel incentive program may increase costs for residents — WICS
Illinois residents seeking subsidies under a state solar incentive program could end up paying more out of pocket due to higher than expected demand.
Illinois AG files lawsuit against CWLP over coal ash release — WAND
The Illinois attorney general files a lawsuit against Springfield’s municipal utility for allegedly releasing more than 700 tons of coal ash.
County approves wind farm — Journal-Republican
After years of debate, an Illinois county approves a 50-turbine wind project that opponents say was forced upon them by a recent state law overruling local opposition if projects meet certain requirements.
Illinois lawmakers returning this week for a six-day fall veto session will consider a bill to lift the state’s ban on new nuclear plants, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker vetoed earlier this year.
Q&A: How Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer, a Southeast Side Native, Plans to Tackle Environmental Racism — Inside Climate News
Chicago’s chief sustainability officer, who grew up on the city’s southeast side, is leading the city’s effort to reform local policies that disproportionately exposed people of color to industrial pollution.
Lawmakers not to attempt to override Pritzker’s ROFR veto — WGEM
Illinois lawmakers will not attempt to override Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s veto of a bill designed to give Ameren Illinois first rights to build transmission projects.
Indiana
Commissioners pass 12-month moratorium on Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems —WTCA
A northern Indiana county approves a yearlong moratorium on utility-scale battery storage projects as officials craft local zoning regulations.
NIPSCO embarking on one of biggest transitions in company history — Times of Northwest Indiana
Indiana utility NIPSCO is embarking on its biggest transition during the company’s 113-year history as it builds 14 solar and wind projects to displace coal-fired generation.
IURC approves I&M’s request to build four new solar plants in Indiana — WPTA
Indiana regulators approve a utility’s plan to build four solar projects totaling more than 800 MW by mid-2026.
Council makes changes and gives first reading approval to zoning ordinance for solar — The Republic
A central Indiana city advances zoning ordinance changes that would effectively prohibit commercial solar projects.
Michigan
Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson Is Leading Michigan’s Public and Private Green Transition — Newsweek
Michigan’s new chief mobility officer leads a collaborative effort to work across state government, academia and private industry to advance clean transportation options in the state.
Wind, solar siting bills draw Republican backlash — WEMU
A Michigan proposal to shift zoning decisions for wind and solar projects to state regulators rather than local officials faces backlash from Republicans.
Ann Arbor’s TheRide aims to reduce carbon footprint with new program — WDIV
The transit agency in Ann Arbor is set to begin a multi-year pilot program to deploy hydrogen fuel cell buses and reduce emissions.
Ford lays off 700 who were building electric version of F-150 — CNN
Ford is laying off about 700 workers building the electric F-150 truck, citing multiple supply chain constraints.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel to source 100% of its electricity from renewable power sources — Battle Creek Enquirer
A southwestern Michigan casino will become the first in the state to source 100% of its electricity needs from renewables.
Why the UAW wants inside the battery factory — E&E News
Allowing the UAW to organize workers at forthcoming electric vehicle battery plants could alter the living standards for much of the U.S. automotive workforce as well as the cost of electric vehicles, experts say.
Ann Arbor builds climate resilience with long-term funding and planning — Planet Detroit
Ann Arbor prioritizes state and federal climate funding on stormwater and floodplain management to build resilience and reduce risk.
Michigan Republicans say feds are foot-dragging Line 5 tunnel review — MLive
Michigan Republicans criticize what they say is an unnecessarily long federal review of Enbridge’s proposed Line 5 tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac.
Michigan AG files brief in support of tribe’s bid to shut Enbridge pipeline on reservation — Detroit News
Michigan’s attorney general files a federal court brief in support of a tribe’s attempt to shut down part of Line 5 that traverses reservation land in Wisconsin.
8,400 gallons spill from BP gasoline pipeline in Michigan — MLive
A BP pipeline rupture leaks about 8,400 gallons of gasoline in southern Michigan.
House panel passes renewable permitting package, despite pushback from local groups — Michigan Advance
A Michigan House committee advances legislation that would move permitting authority for wind and solar projects from local governments to state regulators.
Michigan legislators took $176K from DTE since pledging new era of utility accountability after outage backlash — Energy and Policy Institute
Detroit-based utility DTE Energy has given $176,000 to Michigan lawmakers and related funds since a February ice storm this year caused widespread outages and calls for improved reliability.
Democrats seek new office to aid Michigan with green energy job losses — Bridge Michigan
Michigan lawmakers are considering bills that would create an economic transition office focused on helping workers and communities avoid job losses related to the clean energy transition.
GRCC busy training lineworkers to fill growing demand — WOOD-TV
A Michigan community college has a waitlist for a lineworker and electric technician training program because of strong demand.
Wind, solar and ending fossil fuels: See what’s in Michigan’s climate bills — MLive
Michigan Democrats are advancing a suite of climate and clean energy bills that involve state-level wind and solar siting, transitioning utilities off fossil fuels and boosting energy efficiency.
State: Consumers Energy has made progress on billing, meter problems — WOOD-TV
Michigan regulators say Consumers Energy is making progress to correct alleged violations involving estimated billings when measuring electricity consumption.
Investigation into Consumers Energy continues over malfunctioning meters, service delays — Michigan Radio
Michigan regulators order Consumers Energy to show why the utility should not be found in violation of state laws after persistent customer complaints about malfunctioning electric meters and billing practices.
Nuclear power would be clean but not renewable under Michigan legislation — MLive
Michigan Democrats advance legislation out of committee that would set a 100% clean energy target by 2040 and include nuclear and natural gas that uses carbon capture.
Clinton Co. considers stricter zoning on wind, solar projects — WLNS
A central Michigan county considers zoning restrictions for commercial wind and solar as state lawmakers consider a bill that would prevent local governments from banning such development.
Minnesota
Xcel Energy seeks to grow wind energy in southwest Minnesota — MPR
Xcel Energy seeks proposals to build about 1,200 MW of wind power in southwestern Minnesota to replace some of the power produced at a soon-to-retire coal plant.
Xcel Energy revives Minneapolis resiliency project with help of federal grant — Energy News Network
Xcel Energy will use part of a recent $100 million federal grid resiliency grant to pay for its share of microgrid projects at three community centers in disadvantaged Minneapolis neighborhoods.
Ohio
Reimagine Appalachia discusses job losses from closed coal plants — Times Leader
A Southeastern Ohio port authority director talks about the challenge and opportunity in redeveloping former coal power plant sites.
Utility middlemen accused of price gouging won’t face PUCO scrutiny — Cleveland.com
A ruling by Ohio utility regulators leaves renters exposed to electricity suppliers that have been accused of price gouging captive customers, advocates say.
US says it found health and safety violations at a GM joint venture battery plant in Ohio — AP
Federal labor regulators propose $270,000 in fines after finding 19 health and safety violations at a General Motors joint venture electric vehicle battery plant in Ohio.
Utility refunds top priorities list for new Ohio consumers’ counsel — Energy News Network
The new leader of Ohio’s state-funded ratepayer advocacy agency says refunds for unlawful utility charges are among her top priorities in the new role.
Ohio oil and gas industry accident data boost worries about drilling under state parks — Energy News Network
Ohio regulators annually log hundreds of chemical spills from oil and gas drilling, raising concerns among critics about plans to allow drilling for oil and gas under state park land.
US EPA raises environmental justice concerns about permit for ‘chips to energy’ plant in Youngstown — WFMJ
The U.S. EPA raises concerns about a proposed waste-to-energy plant’s pollution impacts on communities of color in Youngstown, Ohio.
Court OKs construction of 2 large solar farms in Preble County — Dayton Daily News
The Ohio Supreme Court rules that two large solar projects can move forward, finding that state regulators properly approved the projects.
Lebanon ‘takes advantage’ of renewable energy, invests millions into solar arrays — WXIX
An Ohio city will invest $13.4 million in a community solar project that officials say will expand clean energy access to more residents.
Ban in place for solar, wind farms in 18 local townships — WKBN
All 18 townships in an Ohio county have now banned commercial wind and solar development as allowed under a recent state law.
PUCO rules New York energy company cannot do business in Ohio — Center Square
Ohio regulators bar a New York-based electricity supplier from doing business in the state after alleging the company forged customer contracts and issued misleading statements.
As nuclear fuel plant opens in Ohio, can small reactors compete? — Energy News Network
A newly opened Ohio uranium enrichment plant hopes to sell fuel for use in small modular nuclear reactors, but a recent study raises questions about whether the technology can compete with renewables.
Construction approaches for Ohio’s first floating solar project — Solar Power World
A central Ohio water utility will soon start construction on the state’s first floating solar project, which is expected to offset half of the facility’s electricity use.
Ohio Supreme Court decision clears the path for Preble County solar farms — Ohio Capital Journal
A recent Ohio Supreme Court decision allowing two solar projects to move forward may have far-reaching implications for asserting the court’s power to supersede state agencies.
They buy coal to make steel. Ohio reps want to give them a renewable energy credit — Cleveland.com
Ohio lawmakers consider a bill to grant renewable energy credits to a company that sells excess steam from a coal processing facility to a nearby petrochemical plant.
Gorge Dam removal moving forward with more than $100 million project agreement — Ideastream
Four entities sign a $100 million agreement to remove a former hydroelectric dam built in 1911 in Ohio to restore the health of a river.
Is gas ‘clean’? States rebrand energy to meet electricity targets. — E&E News
Ohio is among a growing number of states that are redefining natural gas as “clean” energy, which could influence energy development and the ability to hit emission-reduction goals.
Ohio House bill would declare nuclear power as ‘green energy’ — Cleveland.com
A bipartisan bill in Ohio would also define nuclear as “green energy,” a largely symbolic move meant to stimulate more nuclear development, according to its Democratic sponsor.
As America’s energy needs grow, one Ohio congressman is pushing for more domestic nuclear power production — Spectrum News
A Republican congress member from Ohio backing legislation to boost domestic uranium mining and processing says nuclear power is crucial for U.S. clean energy targets.
Wisconsin
GOP-backed community solar bill in Wisconsin stymied by utility and labor opposition — Wisconsin State Farmer
A Wisconsin bill to enable third-party-owned community solar development is backed by Republicans, retailers, and farmers but appears stalled again this year as utilities, labor unions and Democrats withhold support.
New community solar project allows low-income households to soak up the benefits — Wisconsin Public Radio
A 1.5 MW community solar project coming online in southwestern Wisconsin will open more than a quarter of subscriptions to low-income households.
National
Utilities, charging companies battle over EV fast chargers, slowing deployment amid massive needs — Utility Dive
An ongoing debate about utilities’ role in building and operating electric vehicle chargers threatens to slow EV deployment and transportation emission-reduction targets.
Research by Public Health Experts Shows ‘Damning’ Evidence on the Harms of Fracking — Inside Climate News
New research on hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas confirms earlier data that links the practice to an array of health harms such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma and birth defects.
Big federal dollars for small state projects aim to get more cars off the roads — Stateline
A five-year, $6.4 billion federal program aims to reduce tailpipe emissions via small-scale transportation alternative projects designed to take vehicles off the road.
Carbon removal looks more promising by the day. Is methane next? — E&E News
As technology to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere advances, researchers are increasingly focusing on doing the same for methane.
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