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Enbridge, Michigan AG square off in court over Line 5

By Andy Balaskovitz

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PIPELINES: A Michigan court hears arguments in the state attorney general’s case attempting to shut down Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac, which Enbridge argues is solely regulated by the federal government. (Michigan Advance)

CARBON CAPTURE:

  • The South Dakota House passes a bill 49-19 to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines, sending the legislation to the state Senate. (South Dakota Searchlight)
  • North Dakota lawmakers will hold hearings this week on a series of carbon pipeline bills, including one prohibiting the use of eminent domain during development. (North Dakota Monitor)

SOLAR:

  • A professor thinks utility-scale solar projects in Wisconsin are likely to move forward despite President Trump’s efforts to chill clean energy development in favor of fossil fuels. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
  • Michigan awards a $1.25 million grant to support a 250 MW, 1,900-acre solar project planned near a wastewater treatment facility. (WOOD-TV8)
  • Western Wisconsin residents call on officials to halt plans for a 650 MW solar project that Xcel Energy plans to replace power from a retiring coal plant. (Pioneer Press, subscription)

UTILITIES: Ann Arbor, Michigan officials delay the next phase of studying the creation of a municipal utility so that it can better understand the costs and legal risks of replacing DTE Energy’s infrastructure. (Michigan Daily)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Auto dealers and other industry representatives say the billions of dollars of investment planned in electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan will help the state prepare for the future, regardless of President Trump’s hostility toward the industry. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY:

  • The Trump administration freezes conditional loans that had not yet been finalized by the Department of Energy, jeopardizing billions of dollars in financing for various clean energy projects. (E&E News, subscription)
  • Consumers Energy says it is seeking northeastern Michigan landowners who are interested in leasing land for utility-scale renewable energy projects. (WBKB)

FOSSIL FUELS: Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is President Trump’s nominee for Interior Secretary, hosted a VIP dinner for oil, gas and coal executives last year and says he would advocate for ​“clean coal” in his cabinet position. (DeSmog)

HYDROPOWER: A Missouri researcher lands $750,000 in federal funding to use artificial intelligence to improve hydropower plant performance during extreme weather. (KY3)

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