FirstEnergy argues HB6 protects it from ratepayer lawsuits

OHIO: FirstEnergy argues in a class action suit that House Bill 6, the power plant bailout law at the center of a corruption scandal, protects the utility from ratepayer lawsuits. (Energy News Network / Eye on Ohio)

PIPELINES:
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer withdraws a federal lawsuit seeking to shut down the Line 5 pipeline in hopes that a separate suit by the state’s attorney general will be successful. (Bridge Michigan)
• Whitmer’s move rekindles ongoing political and legal debates involving treaty rights and the Biden administration’s role in Line 5’s future. (E&E News)

SOLAR:
• Residents express concern over a planned 750-acre, 100 MW solar project in eastern Iowa potentially taking over farmland. (Iowa Public Radio)
• A Missouri school district approves a 10-year agreement to participate in a community solar pilot project that would offset a majority of schools’ energy usage. (Joplin Globe)
• A developer proposes a 59 MW solar project in southern Ohio that would be the company’s third utility-scale project in the state. (Chillicothe Gazette)

AIR POLLUTION: Researchers at three Michigan universities are developing a wearable device that tracks air pollution and could help users avoid toxic areas. (Centered)

RENEWABLES: Indiana Republicans indicate legislation could resurface next year that’s similar to a prior bill that would have created more uniform siting standards for wind and solar projects. (News and Tribune)

OIL & GAS: North Dakota officials approve timelines and guidelines for a new natural gas pipeline grant program that’s funded with $150 million in federal stimulus relief. (Prairie Public Broadcasting)

CARBON CAPTURE:
• Landowners in the path of a planned carbon dioxide pipeline through Iowa remain deeply skeptical about the project’s potential impact on the land and public health. (Iowa Public Radio)
• The $1.75 trillion Build Back Better spending bill that has passed the U.S. House includes further tax breaks for carbon capture that would largely benefit fossil fuel companies. (Inside Climate News)

COMMENTARY: U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa says carbon capture and storage projects will benefit the biofuels industry by allowing producers to ​“access the increasing number of markets that have adopted low carbon fuel standards.” (The Messenger)