Judge: Enbridge trespassing on tribal land

PIPELINES:
• A U.S. District Court judge in Wisconsin rules that Enbridge is trespassing on an Ojibwe tribe’s land and should pay damages for continuing to operate its Line 5 pipeline despite a major easement expiring in 2013. (Michigan Advance)
• The ruling said Enbridge can continue to operate the pipeline on the Bad River Reservation until its relocation project is completed. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• An Iowa landowner is countersuing a carbon pipeline developer after it sued him and other residents to gain access to their properties for surveying. (Reuters)
• An Iowa county supervisor calls for input on an ordinance to govern utility and energy developments, saying the county currently has few legal options to stop a proposed carbon pipeline or other energy projects. (Pen City Current)

BUILDINGS: ​“It’s like pulling teeth.” Ann Arbor planning commissioners express frustration as they try to persuade housing developers to voluntarily incorporate features like solar power and electric appliances into new apartment buildings. (MLive)

WIND: Illinois lawmakers discuss their vision to create Chicago’s first offshore wind farm, touting it as an opportunity to bring jobs to the predominantly Black and Latino South Side. (Chicago Sun Times)

UTILITIES:
• As Xcel Energy prepares to retire coal generators at a central Minnesota power plant, the company discloses plans to sell land for a second large data center at the site. (Star Tribune)
• Ohio utility regulators challenge a plan by the state’s largest retail electricity aggregator to temporarily drop 550,000 customers who would benefit from lower rates through standard service offers. (Cleveland.com)
• Detroit residents, activists and community leaders push back against a proposed 8.8% rate increase by DTE Energy. (People’s World)

OIL & GAS:
• Two natural gas power plants in Illinois are acquired by a ​“public benefit corporation” or ​“B corp,” a model that the buyer says will allow it to operate the plants in a more responsible and sustainable manner. (Power)
• Ohio’s state auditor meets with oil and gas industry officials to discuss a recent state report on inefficiencies with the state’s orphan well program. (WTAP)

SOLAR:
• Ameren Missouri announces two solar canopy projects as part of a program that aims to install solar in parking lots and other underutilized spaces. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Residents of a Kansas county express concern and skepticism over a national renewable developer’s interest in building a solar farm in the area. (WIBW)
• As a Michigan township considers a new solar zoning ordinance, a resident says solar projects offer ​“a way out” for struggling farmers. (WLUC)

GRID: AES Ohio says 95% of its customers will have smart meters by 2025, eliminating the need for monthly meter reader visits. (WHIO)

POLITICS: At an event Thursday, Iowa U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne says the Inflation Reduction Act will help create jobs for Iowans and lower energy costs. (Capital Dispatch)