Consumers lose as Ohio blocks clean energy

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

CLEAN ENERGY

• Ohio lawmakers and other officials have thwarted more than 5.3 GW of wind and solar projects over the past 12 years that advocates say would have helped control prices for consumers and support new demand. (Canary Media)

• The CEOs of Michigan’s two major investor-owned utilities say data center expansion and growing power needs will make it more difficult to meet the state’s 100% clean energy target. (Crain’s Detroit)

• Renewable energy developers say they’re still willing to take local opposition into consideration in Michigan, even though a state law allows them to bypass local officials to seek state approval for projects. (Bridge)

GRID

• Despite installing about 12 million smart meters at homes and businesses across PJM’s territory, utilities are not sharing customer use information that would support demand-response programs, according to a new complaint. (Canary Media)

• MISO is expected to have excess capacity over the next five years as 15 GW of generation comes online annually to meet growing demand. (Utility Dive)

• Minnesota regulators’ approval of Xcel Energy’s 200 MW virtual power plant plan is among the latest action from states to support the grid management approach. (Inside Climate News)

COAL

• President Trump’s $700 million plan to prop up defunct and operating coal plants includes millions for plants in Wisconsin, Indiana, and North Dakota, as well as coal mines in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and North Dakota. (States Newsroom; Wisconsin Watch)

OIL & GAS

• A Wisconsin oil refinery shuts down a unit that captures hydrogen sulfide gas because of a leak. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

PIPELINES

• A Dutch court will allow Greenpeace to pursue a lawsuit claiming Energy Transfer illegally retaliated against the group for protesting the Dakota Access pipeline. (E&E News)

UTILITIES

• Michigan’s attorney general pledges to intervene in Consumers Energy’s latest request asking for a $456 million rate increase for its grid reliability plan while also increasing its rate of return for shareholders. (Michigan Public)

SOLAR

• Central Kansas county officials approve plans for a $275 million, 1,200-acre solar project that would contribute about $1 million a year in revenue to the county annually. (KSN)

• A western Michigan municipal utility opens enrollment for its first community solar program after working with city officials to secure land. (MLive)

COMMENTARY

• The state of Ohio should create an independent commission to evaluate local electric grid conditions as major utilities seek massive rate increases from pro-utility regulators, an editorial board writes. (Cleveland.com)