Concessions in Michigan’s clean energy plan

CLIMATE: Sweeping clean energy bills headed to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer make concessions to large utilities and heavy industry at the expense of environmental justice communities, activists say. (Inside Climate News)

NUCLEAR: Illinois lawmakers could vote on a new bill that addresses Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s concerns about lifting the state’s moratorium on new nuclear power plant construction and more narrowly defines the type of projects that would be allowed. (Daily Herald)

SOLAR:

• Solar energy is poised for a boom in Kansas, where wind energy over the past decade has led in renewable energy development. (KCUR)
• A southern Ohio township vote has turned unusually negative as commercial solar development emerges as a divisive issue. (WCPO)
• A Minnesota pilot project aims to demonstrate the potential to grow crops alongside utility-scale solar projects. (MPR)
• A rural Kansas bank receives nearly $75,000 in federal grant funding to install solar panels. (KWCH)

UTILITIES: Ohio consumer advocates object to FirstEnergy’s $1.4 billion rate increase request for grid investments, saying the utility already is highly profitable. (Ohio Capital Journal)

PIPELINES:

• Officials in Sioux City, Iowa, unanimously pass a resolution opposing carbon capture pipelines, noting that eminent domain for private companies ​“sets a dangerous precedent.” (Sioux City Journal)
• Engineers for the Illinois Commerce Commission say federal regulators should update rules for carbon pipelines before the state approves construction permits. (Iowa Capital Dispatch) 

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Stellantis unveils a new electric Ram truck model that has up to 690 miles of range with an on-board, gas-powered generator that charges the vehicle’s battery. (Detroit News, subscription)

WIND: A southeastern Iowa county considers new wind energy zoning regulations as a developer pursues a project there. (Southeast Iowa Union)

COAL: An Ohio conservation district seeks to acquire 625 acres of reclaimed coal mining land to build a contiguous preservation area for hunting, fishing and hiking. (Coshocton Tribune)

OIL & GAS: Climate activists hope to expand their campaign seeking local payouts of damages from oil and gas producers in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. (E&E News)

BIOFUELS: A Biden administration official is set to announce grant funding for an Iowa ethanol producer to help expand consumer access to biofuels. (Globe Gazette)