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Groups challenge Line 5 tunnel plan

By Andy Balaskovitz

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PIPELINES: Environmental groups appeal Michigan regulators’ approval of Enbridge’s plan to tunnel the Line 5 pipeline beneath the Straits of Mackinac, arguing they failed to properly consider alternatives. (Associated Press)

OHIO: Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted continues to deny knowledge of FirstEnergy’s scheme to secure a $1 billion bailout for its unprofitable power plants as text messages show he led the push to pass the 2019 law. (Ohio Capital Journal) 

CARBON CAPTURE: A North Dakota judge expects to rule soon on a lawsuit from a landowners’ group claiming the state’s regulations over the use of pore space to store carbon dioxide are unconstitutional. (North Dakota Monitor)

SOLAR:

  • Ameren acquires a 150 MW solar project, its largest solar project to date, as renewable energy demand from corporate customers grows. (St. Louis Public Radio)
  • A developer receives a $3.6 million federal loan to build a 2 MW community solar project in Nebraska. (World-Herald)

COAL: A Chicago suburb considers whether to renew a power supply contract with an agency that provides power to dozens of municipalities and remains heavily reliant on coal. (Daily Herald)

UTILITIES: Indiana ratepayer advocates ask state regulators to reject Duke Energy’s $500 million rate increase request as the utility faces ongoing criticism for its reliance on fossil fuels. (Indiana Public Radio)

OIL & GAS: 

  • A rail operator will burn off liquefied petroleum from train cars that derailed in a Chicago suburb late last week. (Chicago Sun-Times)
  • North Dakota officials are investigating a pipeline break that caused an oil and produced water spill. (Bismarck Tribune)
  • Illinois’ gasoline tax is set to hit 47 cents per gallon, the second-highest rate in the country, as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to raise funding for transportation infrastructure. (FOX 2)

GRID: Michigan regulators forecast an uptick in electricity and natural gas demand this summer during higher than average temperatures. (MLive)

COMMENTARY:

  • Minnesota needs to end its moratorium on new nuclear plants to stimulate investment and boost grid reliability, business and electric cooperative executives write. (Star Tribune)
  • Utility-scale clean energy projects are bringing much-needed tax revenue to rural Michigan communities that have experienced steady disinvestment, a clean energy advocate writes. (The Gander)
  • An Ohio landowner says a proposed 150 MW solar project would bring investment and jobs to a rural community, along with long-term lease payments for farmers. (Canton Repository)

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