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Michigan reforms renewable energy permitting

By Andy Balaskovitz

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CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is poised to sign legislation that moves permitting for commercial wind, solar and battery storage projects from local governments to state regulators in an effort to speed up development. (Bridge)

ALSO:

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Xcel Energy proposes a scaled-back, $44.5 million electric vehicle investment plan that aims to build consensus following significant opposition to its original $330 million proposal. (Star Tribune)

BATTERIES: A company vows to move forward with a $2.4 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan despite voters this week recalling all five members of the township board for supporting the project. (Crain’s Grand Rapids Business)

OIL & GAS: Kansas makes progress on a plan to plug 2,500 abandoned wells by early 2024 after receiving a boost from federal infrastructure funding. (Kansas Reflector)

NUCLEAR: The Illinois Senate passes a bill to lift the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plant construction but only apply to plants up to 300 MW in capacity. (WICS)

CARBON CAPTURE:

  • Illinois landowners raise concerns about an ethanol company’s plan to build three wells to store carbon emissions. (WGLT)
  • A Michigan clean energy bill package calling for 100% carbon-neutral power by 2040 relies on carbon capture and storage to help meet targets. (Detroit News, subscription)

PIPELINES: Federal pipeline regulators threaten to withhold grant funding for South Dakota if the state fails to take steps to prevent excavation damage to buried gas pipelines. (South Dakota Searchlight)

SOLAR:

  • Voters in an eastern Michigan township narrowly approve a zoning ordinance that would allow for the development of a $200 million solar project. (WJRT)
  • A University of Minnesota team wins second place in a week-long, 1,800-mile, solar-powered car race in Australia. (Minnesota Daily)

CLIMATE: Michigan opens enrollment in a statewide climate corps program that will bring climate action planning expertise to local communities. (MLive)

WIND: Southwestern Iowa county officials vote to extend a commercial wind energy moratorium indefinitely as they craft local siting regulations. (KMALand)

COMMENTARY: Illinois needs stronger emission-reduction policies to make its transportation sector cleaner and more equitable, according to a new scorecard from clean energy advocates. (Natural Resources Defense Council)

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