Grid-enhancing tech looks to go nationwide

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

GRID

• Minneapolis-based startup Open Access Technology International seeks Trump administration funding to scale up its software that manages the flow of electrons on the grid, looking to better communicate information between grid operators and increase capacity without building new infrastructure. (Canary Media)

• A federal judge blocks the U.S. Forest Service from using President Trump’s energy emergency order to fast-track the environmental and cultural review of a proposed 226-mile transmission line through the Nebraska Sandhills. (Courthouse News Service)

• Transmission developer ITC gathers public input on a proposed 50-mile project in central Michigan that has already generated pushback from residents along a potential route. (Michigan Advance)

SOLAR

• A rural Minnesota electric cooperative would violate state law by disconnecting electric service to a tribal casino resort that’s pursuing a behind-the-meter solar project, an administrative law judge rules. (West Central Tribune)

• Michigan ranked seventh among states for solar panel installations in the first quarter of 2026, as solar demand remains strong despite headwinds from the Trump administration. (Michigan Advance)

• Developer Common Energy plans to partner with a mental health services nonprofit to build 16 MW of community solar projects. (Solar Power World)

BATTERIES

• General Motors is developing sodium ion batteries to use for grid storage, in partnership with startup Peak Energy, as power demand grows from data centers and EV demand slows. (Car and Driver)

DATA CENTERS

• FirstEnergy asks federal regulators to require data centers to pay for transmission upgrades needed to serve them instead of spreading costs among customers. (Utility Dive)

• Ohio lawmakers introduce sweeping data center regulations that would scale back tax incentives and the use of nondisclosure agreements, and require more water and energy use oversight. (Ohio Capital Journal)

• Flint, Michigan, enacts a one-year moratorium on data centers amid reports of a potential vacant land deal for a project at a sprawling former General Motors manufacturing plant. (MLive)

UTILITIES

• A proposed bill in Ohio would require utilities to provide more detailed forecasts of electricity demand to prevent unnecessary spending on grid infrastructure and protect ratepayers. (Center Square)

• The Milwaukee Common Council will hold an upcoming public hearing on a plan to potentially form a public electric utility to replace We Energies. (WTMJ)

PIPELINES

• A pipe manufacturer’s $15 million lawsuit seeking damages from the Summit carbon pipeline developer will head to trial. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

CLEAN TECH

• University of Minnesota researchers look to scale up a program that uses wind energy to power equipment that produces anhydrous ammonia, a critical input for corn farming as the state is highly dependent on out-of-state fertilizer producers. (MinnPost)

OVERSIGHT

• Two incumbents on the North Dakota Public Service Commission win their Republican primaries, running on platforms of electric affordability and warning of potential risks from rapidly building data centers. (North Dakota Monitor)

NEW FROM CANARY

• New QCells plant doubles current US capacity to make solar cells — Julian Spector

• Energy-hungry aluminum plant is swept up in Oklahoma governor’s race — Maria Gallucci

• In this house, an EV helps power appliances — and the grid — Jeff St. John

• North Carolina bill would prop up coal until new nuclear is approved — Elizabeth Ouzts