Michigan braces for energy storage

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

STORAGE

• A wave of grid storage projects are in the pipeline in Michigan, causing local governments to scramble to develop regulations without much guidance. (Michigan Public)

DATA CENTERS

• A controversial Ohio sales tax exemption for data center developers cost the state $1.6 billion in 2025, 11 times more than the original estimate of $136 million. (Signal Ohio)

• Nebraska county officials vote to suspend the issuing of data center permits needed for up to one year as opposition to the facilities mounts across the state. (Flatwater Free Press)

SOLAR

• A northern Illinois county board approves a 6,100-acre solar project following months of debate that drew support from unions and threats of a lawsuit from neighbors. (Chicago Tribune)

UTILITIES

• The Indiana Supreme Court hears arguments in case between utility NIPSCO and big industrial customers involving recovery from inflation-related grid upgrade cost overruns. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

GRID

• A group of Wisconsin residents sue the utility developers behind a proposed 139-mile high-voltage transmission line through the state’s Driftless area. (Vernon Reporter)

NUCLEAR

• Nebraska Public Power District identifies four sites across the state that would be suitable to host small-scale nuclear reactors. (Nebraska Public Media)

PIPELINES

• The Army Corps of Engineers officially grants the Dakota Access Pipeline a permit to cross under a reservoir of the Missouri River, nine years after oil started flowing in the pipeline. (North Dakota Monitor)

• Iowa’s Republican Senate Majority Leader plans to reintroduce a sweeping pipeline plan to ease tension between developers and landowners that has stalled projects. (Radio Iowa)

EFFICIENCY

• Dayton, Ohio, officials approve $3.3 million in additional funding for the city sustainability office’s program to weatherize more than 400 low-income homes. (WYSO)

OIL & GAS

• Leading North Dakota oil producer Continental Resources plans to resume drilling this year in the state after pausing new wells because of low oil prices. (North Dakota Monitor)

• House and Senate congressional Republicans introduce legislation that would exempt small oil and gas producers from federal emissions-tracking devices. (E&E News)