Indiana utilities seek to recover lost revenue from COVID-19

UTILITIES: Ten Indiana utilities ask permission from state regulators to recover lost revenue from customers during the pandemic. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• The former FirstEnergy subsidiary that’s benefiting from a ratepayer bailout to support its nuclear and coal plants approves spending $300 million for stock buybacks to benefit shareholders. (Cleveland.com)
• Duke Energy CEO Lynn Good says she is ​“disappointed to learn that the tool of natural gas is under such assault” amid tough questions from shareholders about the company’s clean energy plans. (Utility Dive)
• Indiana’s consumer advocate seeks further protections from utility shutoffs for those unemployed due to the pandemic. (WBOI)

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EFFICIENCY: A bipartisan bill in Minnesota would reward utilities for encouraging customers to switch to less carbon-intensive fuels for heating, cooling and transportation while boosting programs for low-income customers. (Energy News Network)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Michigan ranks third nationally in clean energy job losses due to the pandemic, which now exceed 30,000. (MiBiz)
• Nationwide, most job losses are coming from the energy efficiency sector, and the outlook is bleaker than earlier expected. (Bloomberg Law)

WIND: MidAmerican Energy reports that more than 61% of the electricity it delivered last year came from renewable energy, largely driven by wind investments. (Daily Energy Insider)

CLIMATE: Political analysts say governors experiencing high favorability for their handling of the pandemic could be in a better position to pass ambitious climate legislation. (E&E News)

MICROGRIDS: Alliant Energy completes the installation of a solar-plus-storage microgrid for a building and cabin owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (Sauk Prairie Eagle)

COAL: An Indiana coal company reports $3.7 million in net losses during the first quarter compared to $7 million in revenues from the same time period last year. (InsideIndiana Business)

BIOFUELS:
• Ohio agribusiness The Andersons resumes ethanol production at two plants in Michigan and Iowa. (Toledo Blade)
• A COVID-19 relief bill proposed by U.S. House Democrats would provide cash payments to biofuel producers. (E&E News, subscription)

***SPONSORED LINK: Green Energy Ohio invites you to a virtual conversation about Clean Energy in the Age of Coronavirus, May 21 at noon EDT. Featuring ENN reporter Kathiann Kowalski and Dan Gearino from InsideClimate News. Register today!***

SOLAR: A northeastern Indiana packaging manufacturer installs solar panels to help offset electricity costs. (Kendallville Star)

PIPELINES: FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee rejects a request from attorneys general in 10 states, including Minnesota and Illinois, to pause approval for new infrastructure projects like natural gas pipelines. (The Hill)