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Gas flaring caused North Dakota wildfires, state officials say

By Andy Balaskovitz

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OIL & GAS: Heat from natural gas flares combined with high winds and dry vegetation caused two wildfires this fall in western North Dakota, state officials say. (North Dakota Monitor)

GRID: A divided Michigan Legislature approves tax breaks to lure large data centers as critics warn a swift buildout could stress the grid, drive up residential electric rates and threaten clean energy targets. (Bridge)

PIPELINES: North Dakota seeks to intervene in the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s new lawsuit to shut down the Dakota Access pipeline, arguing that doing so would cost hundreds of millions of dollars and infringe on the state’s rights. (North Dakota Monitor)

GRID:

  • Southwest Power Pool officials say, absent new technology, gas plants will be needed to maintain grid reliability to meet forecast load growth from population increases and data centers. (Utility Dive)
  • MISO plans to develop an expedited study process so generation projections in the interconnection queue that are needed for capacity will get preferential treatment. (RTO Insider, subscription)

CLIMATE:

  • President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Homeland Security, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, has been skeptical of climate change and declined federal climate funding for home energy efficiency rebates. (E&E News)
  • Minnesota teachers begin to integrate climate change curriculum in high school courses after new requirements that started this year. (WCCO)

CARBON CAPTURE:

  • North Dakota regulators are scheduled to vote tomorrow on Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan to pipe and permanently store carbon emissions underground near Bismarck. (North Dakota Monitor)
  • Some backers of the strategy say vast carbon storage reserves would benefit the fossil fuel industry and allow the state to continue burning coal and drilling for oil. (Bloomberg, subscription)

NUCLEAR: Biden administration officials announce plans at the U.N.’s climate summit in Azerbaijan to triple the U.S.’s production of nuclear power by 2050. (HuffPost)

BATTERIES: Dozens of students at Chicago-area high schools are immersed in advanced manufacturing, which includes visiting area companies making advanced lithium-ion batteries. (Chicago Sun-Times)

EFFICIENCY: Ohio is set to open applications for $8.5 million in energy efficiency funding meant for businesses, nonprofits and other entities to cut their energy use by at least 15%. (Business Journal)

COMMENTARY:

  • PJM’s recent capacity auction could mean prolonging the life of Appalachia coal plants as well as the significant public health threats to people living near them, says the founder of groups promoting social justice for Black residents. (Utility Dive)
  • The window of opportunity for clean energy projects in Ohio is closing as Republicans prepare to take control of Congress and the White House and state leaders continue to ignore clean energy benefits, an Ohio native and master’s student writes. (Canton Repository)

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