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Illinois bills would clamp down on carbon sequestration, pipelines

By Andy Balaskovitz

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CARBON CAPTURE: Illinois bills would add a series of restrictions on carbon sequestration and pipeline projects as developers seek to capitalize on the state’s geology and lucrative federal tax credits. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:

  • Iowa county officials adopt setback restrictions for carbon pipelines despite the threat of litigation from a multistate carbon pipeline developer. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
  • A North Dakota energy and agriculture trade group cancels meetings planned between state lawmakers and carbon pipeline developers after the event drew criticism and had become ​“quite toxic.” (North Dakota Monitor)

SOLAR:

  • Residents living within three miles of commercial solar projects tend to favor projects that are smaller than 100 MW while local opposition increases as projects grow larger, according to a new survey led by Michigan researchers. (Inside Climate News)
  • Columbus, Ohio’s municipal utility will now offer net metering service to customers with solar panels that allows them to sell unused power back to the utility. (WCMH)
  • Hundreds of utilities and solar companies lobby congressional lawmakers to act fast on permitting and transmission reforms to promote ​“energy security.” (E&E News, subscription)

UTILITIES: Xcel Energy drops its appeal of state regulators’ decision to limit the utility’s profit margin in a recent rate increase request, ending a dispute that will keep bills cheaper for now. (Star Tribune)

POLITICS:

  • Despite Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s claims, state officials have provided little evidence that a former top utility regulator had a well-known working relationship with FirstEnergy before he was appointed. (Ohio Capital Journal)
  • The former regulator, Sam Randazzo, was considered one of the state’s foremost experts on energy policy and drew criticism from clean energy advocates when he was appointed in 2019. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

MANUFACTURING: After missing out on luring a large solar manufacturing plant, Iowa lawmakers pass a $93 million incentives package meant to attract large ​“megasite” projects to the state. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

TRANSPORTATION: Michigan officials are in the early stages of studying the potential for mileage-based user fees to replace traditional gas taxes as vehicles become more fuel efficient and electrified. (WSJM)

COMMENTARY: A Minnesota conservation advocate says a new voluntary license plate highlights the benefits of pollinator habitats with solar projects while also creating dedicated funding for a program that tracks such projects. (Energy News Network)

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