Minnesota Dems introduce 2040 carbon-free electricity bill

CLEAN ENERGY: Minnesota Democrats introduce legislation to require carbon-free electricity statewide by 2040, 10 years sooner than current plans. (Star Tribune)

CLIMATE:
• Vice President Kamala Harris’ call for climate action receives a welcome reception in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which has set aggressive emission-reduction targets. (MLive)
• States that prohibit government business with banks that consider sustainability as part of investment decisions could cost states hundreds of millions of dollars in additional interest payments, a study finds. (States Newsroom)
• Missouri’s secretary of state backs a state rule that would require investment advisers and brokers to disclose whether they use environmental, social and governance investing strategies with clients. (FOX 2)

SOLAR: The Omaha Public Power District is pursuing Nebraska’s first utility-scale solar project on a capped landfill. (WOWT)

PIPELINES:
• North Dakota House lawmakers overwhelmingly approve tax incentives for any developer that builds a pipeline transporting natural gas from the Bakken to areas eastward that lack service. (Prairie Public Broadcasting)
• Iowa’s second most populous county submits a formal letter to state regulators opposing plans for a carbon capture pipeline. (Corridor Business Journal, subscription)

GRID: Power plant operators in PJM’s territory could face up to $2 billion in penalties for not operating during widespread winter storms last month. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES: Detroit-based DTE Energy will begin using time-of-use rates in March to encourage customers to use less electricity during peak demand periods. (Michigan Radio)

NATURAL GAS: A congress member from Michigan introduces a bill to prevent federal agencies from banning gas stoves, despite the White House and a federal consumer safety agency saying they have no plans to do so. (WOOD-TV)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• As Ford previously considered Michigan and Virginia for a battery manufacturing plant, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin pulled the state from contention over concerns about Chinese influence. (Virginia Mercury)
• At an event in Michigan, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the state could be a national leader in electric vehicle and battery manufacturing. (E&E News, subscription)

EFFICIENCY: A central Illinois county will undergo an energy audit and participate in an efficiency program for multiple buildings to help cut costs. (WGLT)