Lake Michigan coal plant a ​‘once-in-a-generation’ redevelopment opportunity

COAL: Local officials say the upcoming decommissioning of a large Michigan coal plant along Lake Michigan presents a ​“once-in-a-generation” opportunity to repurpose lakefront property. (MLive)

NUCLEAR: Federal nuclear regulators suspend their review of an application to extend the operating license for a Wisconsin nuclear plant while they complete a new review of environmental impacts. (Wisconsin State Journal)

OIL & GAS: North Dakota could collect $372 million in additional revenue from a price-triggered tax increase on oil producers as oil prices near record highs. (Associated Press)

SOLAR: First Solar’s $680 million investment to expand its Ohio solar manufacturing site should be completed in the summer of 2023 and create 700 full-time jobs. (Spectrum News)

PIPELINES: The Keystone XL developer asks South Dakota regulators to consider nearly all project activities in the state officially ended, which would release a $15.6 million road bond and remove a public liaison officer. (KELO)

BIOFUELS: Iowa’s U.S. senators say biofuels ​“provide a quick and easy solution for lowering prices at the pump” as gasoline prices continue rising. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

EMISSIONS: A Minnesota Senate committee advances GOP legislation that would block a state agency from adopting clean car standards, though its prospects are unclear in the Democratic-controlled House. (Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Automakers need to plan greater environmental protections and better pay for workers as they transition to electric vehicle production, according to a panel of investors, labor officials and human rights activists. (Reuters)
• Michigan lawmakers formally authorize the transfer of $666 million of state funds to finalize incentives for General Motors’ planned electric vehicle and battery manufacturing expansion. (Associated Press)

UTILITIES: Michigan regulators plan to create a new reporting system to hold utilities accountable on outages that will require data on system reliability, outages and storm response. (MLive)

WIND:
• University of Kansas officials announce that wind energy supplied nearly 85% of the school’s electricity usage in 2021. (Lawrence Journal-World)
• North Dakota regulators fine Xcel Energy $4,500 for failing to install technology that limits red blinking lights by the end of last year. (Inforum)

TRANSMISSION: State regulators and utilities generally support MISO’s plan to allocate costs for certain transmission projects across north and south subregions instead of its entire grid territory. (Utility Dive)

COMMENTARY: An Iowa editorial board says it’s ​“high time we get serious” about transitioning to renewable energy and clean transportation fuels in light of recent global events. (Storm Lake Times)