Midwest states brace for clean energy rollback

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.

CLEAN ENERGY

• Wisconsin advocates expect electricity prices to raise and clean energy and electric vehicle progress to stall under the new federal tax and spending bill President Trump signed into law Friday. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

• The outlook is similar in Michigan, which faces additional uncertainty with its economic reliance on automotive manufacturing. (Bridge)

• Minnesota climate advocates vow to press on with climate action work under a state climate framework despite a loss in federal incentives. (Star Tribune)

• Tribal leaders say the federal tax and spending bill will cause widespread clean energy job losses in their communities and also jeopardize climate projects. (Grist)

SOLAR

• U.S. solar entrepreneur Dean Solon sees opportunity amid industry upheaval through his next venture that will sell modules, trackers, batteries, inverters and power stations to developers in one package. (Canary Media)

• A proposed Michigan bill with strong GOP support would create a community solar program and incentivize agrivoltaics but also place a cap on the total amount of solar statewide and require local zoning approval. (PV Magazine)

GRID

• Ohio’s consumer advocate says a state-appointed auditor over FirstEnergy’s grid spending program was directed to limit oversight over the utility’s spending that collected nearly $500 million from customers over a three-year period. (WKYC)

DATA CENTERS

• A data center builder says the northern Plains could be a hub for construction activity as the region’s cold climate and power access could save companies billions. (Inforum)

NUCLEAR

• Environmental groups question the spending from the decommissioning fund set up for a southwestern Michigan nuclear plant that is no longer set to go offline. (Michigan Public)

• Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signs a pair of bills that will require a study of optimal locations to build a nuclear power plant as well as appoint a board to advance nuclear technology. (Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• A growing number of Chicago suburbs consider regulations over the growing use of electric bikes and e-scooters. (Chicago Tribune)

COMMENTARY

• An Illinois free market nonprofit says lifting the state’s moratorium on new large nuclear plant construction would stabilize the grid while driving billions of dollars in investments. (Chicago Tribune)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Congress passes​‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ spelling disaster for clean energy — Kathryn Krawczyk

• Is wind power finally coming to Maine’s remote north? — Sarah Shemkus

• Need air conditioning? Consider the heat pump. — Alison F. Takemura

• N.C. governor vetoes bill that would have delayed clean energy goal — Elizabeth Ouzts

• Chart:​‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ would cause energy bills to go up in every state — Dan McCarthy