Large solar projects improve property values, study finds

SOLAR: While solar opponents often argue that utility-scale projects decrease nearby property values, a Loyola University study of 70 Midwest projects found projects have a slightly positive effect on property values. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: State regulators will hold a public hearing next week on plans for a 125 MW solar project on 1,000 acres in southwestern Minnesota. (West Central Tribune)

CARBON CAPTURE: A recent leak discovered at an Illinois carbon capture and storage well, and the lack of communication about the incident to the public, raises concerns from advocates about whether the technology is ready to be scaled up. (Inside Climate News)

GRID: Energy companies and climate advocates say grid operator PJM is making it unnecessarily difficult for owners of wind, solar and fossil fuel projects to add new generation or energy storage onsite to bring much-needed capacity. (Canary Media)

CLIMATE: The federal bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act have helped Racine, Wisconsin, officials invest in a series of transportation and clean energy projects. (Wisconsin Examiner)

POLITICS: A federal judge denies a request to dismiss several criminal charges against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan that allege he advanced legislation that benefited ComEd in exchange for the utility hiring certain allies. (Chicago Sun-Times)

NUCLEAR: The owner of a shuttered Michigan nuclear plant that it aims to restart finds corrosion cracking in steam generators far exceeded earlier estimates. (Reuters)

CLEAN ENERGY: An apprenticeship training center in a Minneapolis neighborhood aims to bring clean energy job opportunities, as well as clean energy projects, to underserved communities. (MinnPost)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance during a campaign stop in Michigan would not commit a potential future Trump administration to honoring a $500 million grant from the Biden administration to convert a GM assembly plant to make electric vehicles. (Detroit News)

PIPELINES: The Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments next week on whether a state law that allows pipeline developers to survey land without property owners’ permission is constitutional. (KCCI)

EFFICIENCY: A new 100,000-square-foot office building in a University of Missouri research park is one of just five LEED Platinum-certified buildings in the state. (FOX 2)