Illinois to consider transmission subsidies

GRID: Illinois lawmakers and advocates are drafting legislation that would allow merchant transmission line developers to access subsidies under the state’s renewable energy credits program to help remove cost barriers for wind and solar developers. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: The Grain Belt Express transmission line developer tells Kansas lawmakers that the project will provide electric bill savings and improved reliability to residents in the state. (Kansas Reflector)

OHIO: Two former FirstEnergy executives are indicted on federal racketeering charges for their alleged role in the House Bill 6 scandal. (Ohio Capital Journal)

SOLAR: Xcel Energy eyes 5,000 acres in western Wisconsin for a large solar project to displace a retiring coal plant in the area and take advantage of existing grid infrastructure. (Pioneer Press)

UTILITIES:

• A federal appeals court finds that a 2016 Michigan law requiring alternative energy suppliers to obtain at least some of their power within the state for reliability purposes violates federal law. (Michigan Advance)
• Xcel Energy sold 348 acres around a retiring Minnesota coal plant for $7.7 million to a company that then sold the property to Amazon for $73.5 million, raising concerns among regulators and consumer advocates who say more revenue could have been returned to customers. (Star Tribune)

CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan is the top state for securing investments in renewable energy and battery manufacturing projects by leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act, according to a climate advocacy group’s new report. (Michigan Advance)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: President Trump’s promises to boost domestic vehicle production could disrupt Detroit automakers’ electric vehicle plans, though it remains unclear whether he will seek to end a federal $7,500 rebate for EV purchases. (Bridge)

NUCLEAR: American Electric Power seeks a $50 million federal grant to start early site work to put small modular nuclear reactors at an Indiana coal plant. (news release)

COAL: A coalition of environmental and civic organizations calls on a Chicago suburb to reject a contract extension with the coal-reliant Illinois Municipal Electric Agency. (Chicago Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: Michigan is tapping local nonprofits and offering hundreds of dollars in bonuses to recruit contractors who will help meet energy efficiency construction goals in disadvantaged communities. (Bridge)

POWER PLANTS: A western Michigan health system is installing an onsite gas-powered combined heat and power system to cut costs and improve resilience. (MLive)