Midterm results could spur Midwest climate policy

CLIMATE: Minnesota and Michigan are among four states where Democrats seized full control of state government in Tuesday’s elections, setting the stage to pass more ambitious climate and clean energy legislation. (Inside Climate News)

ALSO:
• Democratic governors secured victories Tuesday that could help advance federal and state-level climate policies. (E&E News, subscription)
• Voters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, overwhelmingly passed a tax proposal that raises local taxes to fund various climate initiatives. (MLive)

UTILITIES:
• Minnesota’s two largest utilities challenge a ruling from state regulators prohibiting the companies from charging customers a combined $55 million for costs related to a 2021 winter storm. (Star Tribune)
• Two Indiana utilities partner to raise awareness for energy assistance programs as utility bills are expected to rise this winter. (Indianapolis Star)

HYDROGEN: WEC Energy Group tests a hydrogen-natural gas blend to produce electricity at a facility in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which utility officials say could help reduce the company’s emissions. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

PIPELINES: Environmental advocates protest plans for carbon capture pipelines in Iowa, calling them a ​“green-washed lie” and a ​“scam perpetuated by big oil and big ag.” (KCCI)

RENEWABLES: Indiana utility NiSource plans to sell up to 19.9% of its stake in subsidiary utility NIPSCO to fund long-term growth plans that include $15 billion in clean energy and grid investments. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR:
• Alliant Energy expects a 99 MW solar project in central Wisconsin to be operational in November 2023. (Waushara Argus)
• Federal regulators expect installed U.S. solar capacity to nearly double from current levels over the next three years. (PV Magazine)
• Low- and moderate-income U.S. households are taking a growing share of the rooftop solar market, according to a federal report. (Canary Media)
• A southwestern Iowa county continues work on zoning regulations for residential and utility-scale solar projects. (Opinion-Tribune)