DTE seeks to close large coal plant 12 years early

UTILITIES: Detroit-based DTE Energy files plans to invest $9 billion over the next decade to ​“drastically transform” its generation mix, including retiring its largest coal plant 12 years earlier than previously planned. (Planet Detroit)

POLITICS:
• A political super PAC with ties to the oil and gas industry has raised $830,000 since launching in July 2021, pumping that money back into supporting Republican candidates in Ohio congressional races. (Cleveland.com)
• Voters in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin could disrupt those states’ long-term decarbonization plans next week by ousting incumbent Democratic governors. (Grist)
• A University of Minnesota-led survey found that a majority of voters across the state are concerned about climate change and want to see an increase in renewable energy deployment. (MPR News)

AIR POLLUTION: Minneapolis will receive $411,000 in federal funding to expand air quality monitoring in communities struggling with pollution and racial segregation. (Star Tribune)

GRID: Federal regulators reject a complaint by an Iowa coalition of large energy users and consumer advocates that sought lower rates for building out transmission. (Utility Dive)

COAL ASH: Twelve coal ash storage sites in Iowa are leaching pollutants into groundwater, according to a new report, though utilities say they are already following federal guidelines for coal ash disposal. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

WIND: The Nebraska Supreme Court will hear a case next week involving allegations that members of a county board had a conflict of interest when voting to approve a wind project. (Nebraska Public Media)

CLIMATE: Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will travel to Egypt next week to discuss the state’s clean energy efforts during a United Nations climate summit. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY: An Illinois agency will collect public comments on a curriculum for two new clean energy workforce training programs created under the state’s Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. (WSIU)

SOLAR:
• County officials in eastern Nebraska seek to modify zoning regulations to accommodate utility-scale solar projects, including a planned 320 MW project. (News Channel Nebraska)
• Top Indiana officials attend the groundbreaking of a 1,300 MW solar project that will span 13,000 acres in northern Indiana. (WLFI)
• An outdoor recreation retailer’s 300,000-square-foot Missouri headquarters has been equipped with one of the largest rooftop solar installations in the state. (Solar Power World)
• Solar panels could last nearly twice as long as previously expected, which should alleviate concerns about potential near-term waste for many projects, according to new research. (Inside Climate News)

BIOFUELS: The U.S. EPA will reportedly seek public comment on whether to allow year-round sales of gasoline with higher ethanol blends in Midwest states. (Reuters)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Central Illinois school districts prepare for a potential influx of electric buses, though some raise concerns about the availability of charging infrastructure. (Peoria Journal Star)