Does Minnesota’s 100% bill do enough for environmental justice?

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Advocates say they are disappointed that equity and environmental justice feel like an ​“afterthought” in Minnesota legislation calling for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. (Inside Climate News)

OHIO: The trial of former House Speaker Larry Householder is exposing how gray areas and loopholes in state law helped enable a major corruption scandal involving utility FirstEnergy. (Cleveland.com)

COAL: The Inflation Reduction Act further diminishes the economic viability of coal plants, making wind and solar cheaper than all but one U.S. coal facility, according to a recent report. (Inside Climate News)

RENEWABLES:
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs a bill creating statewide siting standards for wind and solar projects. (Vermilion County First)
• U.S. researchers are collecting birds and bats killed at wind and solar facilities to help understand how to reduce the environmental impact of clean energy facilities. (Undark Magazine)
• A conservative coalition with chapters across Midwest states says farmers should not face roadblocks when considering whether to allow wind or solar projects on their property. (BG Independent)

EMISSIONS:
• An Indiana bill seeks to prevent the U.S. EPA’s takeover of the state’s air pollution permitting program as the state’s air pollution decreases. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
• The five national parks along Lake Superior will decarbonize their buildings and vehicles within the next four years. (MLive)

PIPELINES:
• An Iowa lawmaker introduces five bills to curtail the use of eminent domain for carbon pipeline projects. (Iowa Information)
• More than 500 individuals and organizations now have standing to formally participate in South Dakota’s regulatory review of a proposed carbon capture pipeline. (South Dakota Searchlight)

UTILITIES:
• Chicago-area gas and electric utilities are among the worst in the nation for utility shutoffs for nonpayment, according to a new report. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• ComEd’s proposed four-year, $1.5 billion rate increase would raise the utility’s profit margin on investments, resulting in about $758 million in additional revenue over four years. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
• Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot reaches a franchise deal that would allow ComEd to serve the city for at least the next 15 years. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
• Local officials in northwestern Indiana pass a resolution opposing NIPSCO’s requested 16.5% electric rate increase, which would include ratepayers covering the cost of closing a coal plant. (Times of Northwest Indiana)

GRID: An Iowa city considers a roughly $20 million project to bury power lines underground to improve grid resilience. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

NUCLEAR: South Dakota lawmakers approve plans for state officials to study the potential for nuclear power in the state’s future energy mix. (KFYR)

WIND:
• Iowa regulators will require MidAmerican Energy to make public its planning studies for a major wind energy project. (Kiowa County Press)
• Public hearings continue on a proposed 300 MW wind project in central Illinois. (Illinois Public Media)

SOLAR: Chicago-based developer Invenergy plans a 1,200-acre solar project in southwestern Missouri. (KSNF)

COMMENTARY:
• A Minnesota climate advocate says local, state and federal transmission permitting reforms are needed to support growing amounts of renewables on the grid. (MinnPost)
• A Nebraska lawmaker backs plans to study the potential of small, modular nuclear reactors in the state. (North Platte Telegraph)