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Michigan on track to hit carbon neutral target

By Andy Balaskovitz

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CLIMATE: Michigan climate officials say the state is on track to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 26% over 2005 levels by the end of 2025 and is on pace to reach a carbon neutrality goal by 2050. (Michigan Public)

PIPELINES:

  • A rift over the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines has caused division among South Dakota Republicans, who are now under new leadership after unsuccessful efforts last year to reach a compromise between supporters and opposing landowners. (South Dakota Searchlight)
  • The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s latest lawsuit to shut down the Dakota Access pipeline should be tossed because the agency hasn’t yet issued a permit for the project. (North Dakota Monitor)

NUCLEAR: Officials at a northern Michigan electric cooperative want to buy power from a nuclear plant slated to restart this year, in part to help meet the state’s climate goals a decade ahead of time. (Interlochen Public Radio)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

  • The Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate a $7,500 rebate for electric vehicle purchases could soften sales in Minnesota, where full EV purchases have started to slow in favor of hybrid models. (Star Tribune)
  • Annual benefits of incentivizing EV charging away from high-demand periods exceed annual costs once at least 5% of customers have EV chargers, according to a new study by AES Indiana. (PV Magazine)
  • Michigan Democrats rescind claims that a Michigan EV plant was idled because of President Trump’s early executive orders, when the plant was idled around the holidays and is scheduled to restart on Feb. 3. (Detroit Free Press)

UTILITIES: Ameren Missouri customers push back on the utility’s proposed 15% rate increase that executives say is needed to pay for various grid infrastructure investments. (St. Louis Public Radio)

SOLAR:

  • Ohio regulators approve plans for a 100 MW solar project with battery storage outside Cincinnati, but reject plans for two other projects totaling 320 MW of capacity. (Cleveland.com)
  • A developer starts construction on a 182 MW solar project on the site of a former subsurface Illinois mine after securing financing for the $345 million project. (Renewables Now)
  • An Iowa county plans to revisit decommissioning provisions in its ordinance regulating utility-scale solar projects to clarify requirements when a project transfers ownership. (Hawk Eye)

CLEAN ENERGY: Rural Minnesota electric cooperatives receive more than $17 million in federal funding for renewable energy projects and load management through virtual power plants. (KIMT)

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