Illinois coalition aims to form hydrogen hub

HYDROGEN: An Illinois coalition seeks to leverage hundreds of millions of federal dollars to develop a Midwest hydrogen hub based on the state’s plentiful nuclear and renewable energy. (Energy News Network)

OHIO:
• Federal prosecutors use hundreds of exhibits to paint a detailed picture of the alleged corruption scheme that helped bail out uneconomic nuclear plants and weaken the state’s clean energy standards. (Energy News Network/​Eye on Ohio)
• A lobbyist with close ties to the state’s top Republicans paid $15,000 in 2019 for inside information about the ballot initiative campaign to repeal HB 6, according to an FBI agent’s court testimony. (Ohio Capital Journal)

CLEAN ENERGY: A North Dakota industrial commission supports suing Minnesota if it finalizes 100% carbon-free electricity legislation that would limit the state’s ability to export coal and natural gas power to Minnesota. (Bismarck Tribune)

PIPELINES:
• Engineers remain concerned that an underground tunnel to house Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac poses an explosion threat, while the pipeline owner and a state regulatory staffer disagree. (Center Square)
• A carbon pipeline developer says it has secured easements for two-thirds of the land necessary to complete the project through Iowa. (KMALand)
• A North Dakota county considers requiring carbon pipeline developers to submit local emergency plans and to add public safety protections to special use permits. (Bismarck Tribune)
• South Dakota lawmakers advance legislation to block carbon pipeline developers from using eminent domain to complete projects. (Press & Dakotan)

ELECTRIFICATION: A Detroit union says it has a long waiting list of trained electricians ready to take on contracts as governments and private companies prepare for electrification. (Bridge Detroit)

GRID:
• A northern Michigan electric cooperative receives a $262.8 million USDA loan, the largest in a recent funding round, to improve grid infrastructure for thousands of customers. (MiBiz)
• A planned 385-mile transmission line between North Dakota and Minnesota would be the nation’s first transmission connection between three regional power grids. (Prairie Public Radio)

OIL & GAS:
• A Minnesota refinery is the fourth largest U.S. producer of selenium, a toxic metal that can harm aquatic species and make its way through the food chain. (Minnesota Reformer)
• An Indiana bill that would allow utilities to recover the cost of natural gas plants as they’re being built clears the state House. (Indiana Public Radio)

SOLAR: Researchers say energy lost from snow on solar panels during winter months is minimal, and that multiple factors affect a system’s efficiency. (Indianapolis Star)

EFFICIENCY: Minnesota lawmakers consider a bill that would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $2,000 for residents who invest in energy efficiency projects. (Center Square)