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
Utility co-op aims to stay ahead of the power curve — Southern Illinoisan
A new Illinois law that took effect on Jan. 1 prohibits utilities from shutting off power to customers when temperatures reach certain heat thresholds.
Solar company, humane society in Illinois to partner for solar installation program — Telegraph Herald
An Illinois solar company launches a nonprofit assistance program that covers a portion of costs for installations at local charities.
Evanston on track to hit 2025 emissions goal — Evanston RoundTable
Lowering emissions from residential natural gas use is the primary barrier to Evanston, Illinois’ plan to reach net zero emissions by 2050, city officials say.
Indiana
NiSource sells 19.9% stake in NIPSCO for $2.16 billion to fund renewable energy — Times of Northwest Indiana
Indiana-based NiSource sells a minority stake in its utility NIPSCO for $2.16 billion that executives say will help the utility invest in more renewables.
Michigan
Large Indiana solar farm approved to power southwest Michigan — MLive
Michigan regulators approve plans for a 245 MW solar project in Indiana that would help power six counties in southwestern Michigan.
Tribes, environment groups appealing Line 5 tunnel approval — MLive
Environmental groups and four tribes will appeal Michigan regulators’ decision to allow plans for an underground tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac.
200 orphan oil and gas wells plugged in 2023 by Michigan regulators — MLive
A $25 million federal grant allowed Michigan to plug 200 orphaned oil and gas wells in 2023, nearly half of all known orphaned wells in the state.
‘We’re not burning anything’: Consumers Energy starts operations at new wind farm — FOX 17
Consumers Energy begins operating a 72-turbine, 201 MW wind project in central Michigan.
For Love of Water files appeal to overturn approval of Enbridge’s Line 5 relocation — 9&10 News
A Michigan environmental group appealing state regulators’ approval of an underground tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac claims the board violated state law by dismissing alternative options.
Power outages and pipelines: Big energy decisions thrust Michigan agency into spotlight — MLive
Often considered an obscure agency, the Michigan Public Service Commission has been thrust into the public spotlight by recent widespread grid failures and pipeline regulatory decisions.
Michigan farms expanding solar following legislation — Brownfield Ag News
Michigan farmers are pursuing larger onsite solar installations after a new state law allows for compensation for a larger amount of excess power they send back to the grid.
Committee launches effort to undo laws giving solar, wind siting authority to state — Detroit News
A newly formed Michigan committee plans to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to overturn new state laws that give renewable energy permitting authority to state regulators.
Lawmakers call on EGLE to address permitting conflict with West Michigan digester — Michigan Advance
A bipartisan group of 15 Michigan lawmakers raise concerns about state regulators’ proposed permitting changes that could lead to the closure of an anaerobic digester waste-to-energy plant.
Minnesota
Minnesotans take big hits on non-negotiable bills like electricity, insurance — Star Tribune
Minnesota utilities continue seeking rate increases for grid investments and clean energy as inflation on services remains stubborn for consumers.
Minnesota mental health professionals say climate concerns driving patients to depression — Minnesota Reformer
More than half of Minnesota mental health professionals in a 2022 survey reported seeing climate-related anxiety, depression and chronic psychological issues in patients, including adolescents expressing hopelessness about the future.
St. Paul, Minnesota sees city buildings as opportunity for quick wins on climate plan goals — Energy News Network
Decarbonizing more than 150 city-owned buildings is a key piece of St. Paul, Minnesota’s climate action plan and also a way to lead by example, officials say.
Northfield project aimes to tackle twin crisis of climate change and affordable housing — WCCO
A southeastern Minnesota net-zero affordable housing project is fully electric and will cap residents’ electric and heating bills at $20 a month.
Ohio
Grant seeks to recruit Appalachian manufacturers for clean energy economy — Energy News Network
A $10 million federal grant will support economic development efforts in Ohio and neighboring states to help lure small- and medium-sized manufacturers specializing in the clean energy supply chain.
Energy company paid $43M for dirty bailout. Says it acted in a “legal way” — Ohio Capital Journal
The former FirstEnergy subsidiary that was to receive the bulk of a ratepayer-funded bailout for two of its nuclear plants says it acted in a “legal way” to help get House Bill 6 passed.
DeWine signs bill letting gas companies charge Ohioans millions for new pipelines — Cleveland.com
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs a bill allowing gas companies to charge customers up to $1.50 a month to extend gas lines to support potential large developments.
A Plant Proposed in Youngstown, Ohio, Would Have Turned Tons of Tires Into Synthetic Gas. Local Officials Said Not So Fast — Inside Climate News
Youngstown, Ohio, officials halt plans for a facility that would convert recycled tires into synthetic gas in a neighborhood of predominantly Black residents.
Wisconsin
Alliant Energy brings six new solar projects online — Capital Times
Alliant Energy announces the completion of six solar projects in Wisconsin totaling 514 MW of new capacity.
Wisconsin trails Illinois, Minnesota on solar adoption. Advocates say policy changes could help turn the tide — Wisconsin Public Radio
Despite lagging neighboring states on solar installations, advocates say expanding community solar and allowing third-party financing could make Wisconsin a regional clean energy leader.
Badger Hollow Solar Park: Wisconsin’s largest solar project is fully up and running — WTMJ
A 300 MW Wisconsin solar project comes online, which Madison Gas and Electric and WEC Energy Group officials say is the state’s largest installation.
Sheboygan’s Onion River Solar Project is now in service. Here’s the impact it’s expected to have. — Sheboygan Press
A $200 million solar project now online in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, includes 40 acres of native grasses for pollinators and will generate about $18 million in local revenue over 30 years.
National
The commercial energy storage market may be small, but it’s slowly growing — Solar Power World
The U.S. commercial and industrial markets for energy storage are vastly underdeveloped and could be poised for major growth in the coming years as more states set capacity targets.
DOE $70M grid security and resilience funding targets cybersecurity, wildfires, other risks — Utility Dive
The U.S. Department of Energy will release up to $70 million for public and private entities, universities and national laboratories to advance grid security and resilience research.
The (Pretty Short) List of EVs That Qualify for a $7,500 Tax Credit in 2024 — Inside Climate News
New eligibility requirements in a federal tax credit program mean that just 19 electric vehicle models can receive the full credit when purchased, compared to 43 last year.
The Midwest could produce more biofuels and bio-based products. A federal bill aims to help — Harvest Public Media
A bipartisan bill in Congress would expand federal grant funding and loans for biofuel facilities and advanced biofuel-based manufacturing.
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