Minneapolis seeks climate leverage with utilities

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UTILITIES:

• Minneapolis’ city council is set to approve new electric and gas utility franchise agreements this week to push utilities to adopt stronger climate goals and in response to criticism that the deals to date have failed to make meaningful progress. (Canary Media)

• Kansas regulators will hold a public hearing next month on Evergy’s plan for two new gas plants and a solar project that would all come online by 2030. (KCLY)

POLITICS

A jury convicts former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of bribery conspiracy that involved passing legislation favorable to ComEd in exchange for jobs for associates, while acquitting him of attempted extortion and other crimes. (Chicago Sun-Times)

CLEAN ENERGY

The founder and CEO of Chicago-based renewable energy developer Invenergy donates a combined $100 million to a global nonprofit and the University of Chicago to help accelerate the clean energy transition. (Chicago Tribune)

NUCLEAR

Two GOP Wisconsin lawmakers push to promote nuclear energy in the state, and plan to propose a siting study that would identify locations for new generation. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

GRID

• Federal regulators approve PJM’s plan to fast-track interconnection reviews of shovel-ready generation projects to help address a forecasted supply shortage, over objections from renewable energy developers. (Utility Dive)

• A new report finds 38 states took policy action last year involving virtual power plants and distributed energy aggregations, while additional state and utility programs are expected this year, according to a new report. (Utility Dive)

PIPELINES

Greenpeace files an anti-intimidation lawsuit in Europe against the Dakota Access pipeline owner, which is suing the environmental group for $300 million in North Dakota over its alleged role in organizing pipeline protests in 2016. (Associated Press)

SOLAR

Michigan regulators approve a 100 MW solar project for DTE Energy that will provide power to Ford Motor Co. through a voluntary green pricing program. (WTVB)

BATTERIES

A Chinese lead acid battery manufacturer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, sues the federal government after being blacklisted and essentially prohibited from doing business in the country over allegations of using forced labor in China. (Crain’s Detroit, subscription)

OIL AND GAS

• Officials in the largest city in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula unanimously approve a resolution supporting a state bill that would add certain gas-fired power plants to the list of clean energy sources under a 2023 law. (WLUC)

• Fracking company founder Harold Hamm has played an outsized role in the Trump administration’s moves to deregulate the oil and gas industry and attack renewable energy. (Heated)