In Chicago, ​‘charging deserts’ part of racial divide on electric vehicles

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Charging stations are so far concentrated in Chicago’s affluent neighborhoods, which advocates say poses an impediment to the city’s clean energy transition. (Energy News Network)

HYDROELECTRIC:
• Wisconsin conservation groups embrace hydroelectricity as the ​“original” renewable energy as the state pursues climate targets. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• A Wisconsin college backs out of the operation of a hydroelectric dam, citing high operating costs and a lack of expertise. (Wisconsin State Journal)

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UTILITIES:
• Xcel Energy has two rate proposals pending in Minnesota that are complicated by the pandemic and flagging commercial power sales. (Star Tribune)
• A St. Louis-area natural gas company looks to increase rates to continue building off $1 billion in recent infrastructure improvements. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

OHIO: Some state lawmakers want to delay yet preserve subsidies for two nuclear plants for their carbon free and ​“baseload” power. (WKSU)

COAL: Indiana has insufficient plans to clean up contaminated coal ash storage sites, an environmental group’s recent report says. (Chicago Tribune)

SOLAR:
• A Michigan agency pursues land that would be suitable for large-scale solar projects. (Interlochen Public Radio)
• Invenergy pursues plans for a 250 MW solar project near Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)

GRID: Consumer advocates in Illinois and other states consider legislative options to oppose federal regulators’ recent minimum offer price rule. (Utility Dive)

RENEWABLES: Midwest renewable energy developers continue to pursue projects despite challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Telegraph Herald)

COMMENTARY:
• A statewide cap on participation in distributed generation programs is limiting Michigan’s second largest city from investing in solar power, a former mayor says. (Bridge Michigan)
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine should name a ​“pro-consumer” replacement for Sam Randazzo to the state’s Public Utilities Commission, an editorial board says. (Cleveland.com)