Minnesota, N.D. regulators tug utility in two directions

PIPELINES:

• Illinois regulators reject most of a Peoples Gas rate-hike request to cover ballooning costs tied to a pipeline replacement program, which the utility says imperils the safety and reliability of its system. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• The North Dakota Supreme Court sides with Summit Carbon Solutions, ruling that the pipeline company does not need permission from landowners to survey properties for its potential route. (North Dakota Monitor)

BIOFUELS:

• An Iowa Republican congressional candidate says the government should phase out federal ethanol mandates, saying he supports the industry but that it should ​“stand up on its own two feet.” (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• Gary, Indiana, activists celebrate news that a company seeking to build a trash-to-jet biofuel plant has reportedly laid off staff and halted most operations. (Chicago Tribune)
• Consumers Energy breaks ground on an ​“AgriEnergy” center in southern Michigan that will combine a solar array and methane biodigester. (WKZO)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• A panel of experts says skills shortages are hindering Michigan’s transition to electric vehicle manufacturing, and that the industry will need to invest in new training and education efforts. (Michigan Advance)
• A University of Michigan study suggests new AI tools could be used to analyze and improve electric vehicle charging. (The Verge)
• School districts in Michigan and Indiana are among those recently winning federal grants to buy electric buses. (Bridge, Indiana Public Radio)

GRID:

• Consumers Energy asks Michigan regulators for another rate increase it says is needed for burying power lines and other upgrades to protect its grid from the growing risk of wildfires. (Detroit Free Press)
• A Wisconsin village board is expected to vote Monday on whether to sell its municipal electrical system to a regional electric co-op. (WQOW)