Michigan battery producer raising $50 million to expand

STORAGE: A Michigan battery storage manufacturer is raising $50 million to build a production facility for its long-duration, lead-acid batteries. (MiBiz)

OHIO:
• Federal prosecutors release new documents showing how FirstEnergy used dark money groups to secretly pay $400,000 to benefit former House Speaker Larry Householder. (Energy and Policy Institute)
• Advocates say requiring more financial disclosure is a ​“common-sense reform” to prevent corruption scandals like the one around Ohio’s House Bill 6. (Columbus Dispatch)

SOLAR:
• A developer appeals to Indiana energy regulators to allow a proposed 120 MW solar project to move forward. (Tribune-Star)
• A Nebraska county adopts a moratorium on utility-scale solar for up to six months to allow planners to research zoning best practices. (McCook Gazette)

BIOFUELS: Iowa ethanol plants produced roughly 4.5 billion gallons of fuel in 2022, a new record for the state. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

AIR POLLUTION: For the first time in a decade, the U.S. EPA proposes tougher standards for limiting pollution from airborne particles that have been linked to a range of health harms. (Inside Climate News)

CLEAN ENERGY: Illinois lawmakers are poised to take up bills on electric vehicle manufacturing incentives and a pilot offshore wind farm in Lake Michigan when they return to session. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)

EFFICIENCY: Wisconsin receives $150 million in federal infrastructure funding that will provide grants to homeowners investing in energy efficiency upgrades. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

GRID: A transmission operator is studying the potential for the construction of a major transmission line through central Michigan. (Greenville Daily News)

UTILITIES: Detroit utility DTE Energy launches a new time-of-use rate for customers to help them reduce power use during peak demand periods. (WDIV)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz attends an unveiling and demonstration of the first electric fire truck manufactured in the state. (Star Tribune)

NUCLEAR: Michigan regulators search for an outside consulting firm to determine the feasibility of new nuclear power generation. (WLNS)

COMMENTARY:
• A Chicago minister urges city leaders to pass a clean buildings ordinance to improve local air quality. (Chicago Tribune)
• A Midwest clean energy advocate says Minnesota regulators should closely scrutinize Xcel Energy’s latest rate increase and urge the utility to invest in renewables. (MinnPost)