Michigan Senate passes clean energy bills

CLEAN ENERGY: The Michigan Senate along party lines passes a series of climate bills that call for 100% clean electricity by 2040, increase utility energy efficiency requirements and grow distributed generation programs. (Detroit Free Press)

PIPELINES: Enbridge reaches an agreement with Minnesota regulators that requires the oil company to commit $61 million a year into a fund to pay for the eventual decommissioning of the Line 3 pipeline. (Star Tribune)

FOSSIL FUELS: Ohio is among a growing number of states that are redefining natural gas as ​“clean” energy, which could influence energy development and the ability to hit emission-reduction goals. (E&E News)

NUCLEAR:

• A bipartisan bill in Ohio would also define nuclear as ​“green energy,” a largely symbolic move meant to stimulate more nuclear development, according to its Democratic sponsor. (Cleveland.com)
• A Republican congress member from Ohio backing legislation to boost domestic uranium mining and processing says nuclear power is crucial for U.S. clean energy targets. (Spectrum News)

GRID: ​“We’re clearly seeing the effects of climate change,” the head of Michigan-based Consumers Energy says during an earnings call outlining the utility’s recent grid infrastructure investments. (Detroit Free Press)

CARBON CAPTURE:

• Staff at an Illinois agency recommend state regulators deny a permit for Wolf Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon pipeline, representing the latest hurdle for CO2 pipeline developers. (WCBU; E&E News, subscription)
• Ethanol industry groups hope CO2 pipelines are able to overcome regulatory hurdles so producers can tap into sustainable aviation fuel markets. (Brownfield Ag News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Madison, Wisconsin’s vehicle fleet now includes 100 electric vehicles, the most of any municipality in the state. (Wisconsin State Journal)

RENEWABLES: A central Michigan county considers zoning restrictions for commercial wind and solar as state lawmakers consider a bill that would prevent local governments from banning such development. (WLNS)

WIND: Northwestern Iowa county officials deny a permit for a 79-turbine wind project that has divided local residents. (Iowa Public Radio)

SOLAR:

• County zoning officials consider a developer’s plan for a commercial solar project in northwestern Illinois that some residents fear would remove farmland. (WQAD)
• An Ohio city selects a contractor to build 9.8 MW of solar across three city-owned sites to expand the municipal utility’s clean energy portfolio. (Solar Power World)
• Utility-scale solar installation costs increased in the first quarter as lower prices for modules didn’t offset higher prices for inverters and labor, according to a new report. (Utility Dive)

OIL & GAS: Federal officials open the public comment period for input on six oil and gas parcels totaling more than 2,000 acres in North Dakota that may be part of an upcoming lease sale. (Tri-State Livestock News)