Efficiency push in Chicago neighborhoods

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

EFFICIENCY

• A Chicago nonprofit’s program to install light bulbs in poorly lit neighborhoods not only improves safety but also opens opportunities to discuss energy efficiency with residents. (Canary Media)

CLIMATE

• Minnesota agencies, communities, and citizens continue to initiate projects under the state’s climate action plan in the face of potential federal funding cuts. (MinnPost)

PIPELINES

• Michigan clean water advocates want a state agency to deny a permit that would allow Enbridge to build a tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac for Line 5. (Michigan Public)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Opponents of Ford’s planned $2.5 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Michigan say they’re encouraged by Chairman Bill Ford’s recent comments that the project could be in jeopardy if federal production tax credits are eliminated. (Crain’s Detroit)

• An eastern Wisconsin county moves forward with local EV grants to boost the availability of public chargers as the Trump administration pulls back funding for charging infrastructure. (Spectrum News)

WIND

• Local officials advance plans for a developer to proceed with replacing 259 aging wind turbines in northwestern Iowa with more efficient models. (Radio Iowa)

• Alliant Energy meets with central Wisconsin residents as it pursues plans for a 100 MW wind project and needs to secure more landowner leases. (Tribune Phonograph)

COAL

• Local officials reach a tentative agreement with a company to relocate large riverfront coal piles in Green Bay that would allow for future development. (Press Gazette)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Michigan lawmakers hold a hearing on a GOP-backed bill that would prevent municipalities from adopting ordinances or resolutions that block natural gas connections in new construction. (Michigan Advance)

SOLAR

• A developer brings online a 250 MW Ohio solar project that will sell power to Microsoft under a long-term power purchase agreement. (PV Tech)

COMMENTARY

• Ethanol critics often leave out crucial context about biofuels’ ability to reduce the use of fossil fuel energy, the head of the Minnesota Farmers Union writes. (Star Tribune)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Massachusetts-based Boston Metals prepares to commercialize its cleaner steelmaking process, which uses electricity to remove impurities from iron ore without producing carbon emissions, Sarah Shemkus reports.

• California’s Demand Side Grid Support program faces $100 million in potential budget cuts that could jeopardize its long-term viability as a resource for the state’s overburdened grid, Jeff St. John reports.