Farmers’ clean energy projects are in limbo

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

CLEAN ENERGY

• The Trump administration’s freeze on Inflation Reduction Act funding has paused a program for rural clean energy projects, leaving farmers waiting for reimbursements on investments or delaying projects. (Grist)

• The U.S. Energy Department is preparing to withdraw potentially billions of dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funding for various clean energy projects including hydrogen hubs, carbon capture demonstrations and long-duration storage. (E&E News)

• More than half of U.S. states, including several across the Midwest, now get more electricity from wind and solar than coal, according to a think tank’s new report. (Canary Media)

OIL & GAS

• Hydraulic fracturing begins under a state park in a southeastern Ohio county where the industry already has a major presence. (Allegheny Front)

UTILITIES

• The insurance industry pushes back against a North Dakota bill that would help utilities avoid liability from wildfire damages caused by power lines, saying it gives utilities too much leeway to avoid responsibility. (Bismarck Tribune)

SOLAR

• A developer is in the early stages of planning a 120 MW solar project in western Indiana as neighbors raise concerns over property values and a lack of information. (Journal & Courier)

• Illinois’ Solar for All program attracted nearly $30 million in investments in its fifth year last year and added 17.5 MW of new solar capacity. (PV Magazine)

GRID

• Federal regulators approve Southwest Power Pool’s plan to integrate seven utilities out West into its regional grid, marking the first time a grid operator will provide transmission services across two of the country’s three major power grids. (E&E News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Illinois is among states pushing forward with rebates for electric vehicle charging stations thanks to a $100 million program through ComEd as the Trump administration jeopardizes federal incentives. (Heatmap)

BIOFUELS

• U.S. biofuel producers scale back production to minimize losses in the face of policy uncertainty and tariff threats from the Trump administration. (Reuters)

CLIMATE

• A national nonprofit launched at an event in South Dakota this week brings a conservative approach to environmental causes and climate advocacy to build bipartisan support. (South Dakota Searchlight)

GEOTHERMAL

• The backer of a North Dakota bill to study the potential of geothermal energy in the state says abandoned oil wells could be repurposed for projects. (KFYR)

NEW FROM CANARY MEDIA

• As more New England officials call for cuts to clean energy programs to rein in high energy bills, advocates say those investments will save customers money in the long run, Sarah Shemkus reports.