Minnesota solar showdown

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.

SOLAR

• An administrative law judge could soon issue recommendations on whether a tribe can connect a large solar system to the grid in Minnesota, a move that observers say could have implications for solar owners across the state. (MPR News)

• Illinois county officials about 40 miles southwest of Chicago say their hands are tied in attempting to halt a large solar and storage project under a new law giving state officials more oversight over projects. (Chicago Tribune)

• Ohio regulatory staff recommend denying Invenergy’s proposed 180 MW solar project following local opposition. (Springfield News-Sun)

OIL & GAS

• An Ohio commission votes to open about 8,700 acres of publicly owned land, including a state park and two wildlife preserves, to hydraulic fracturing. (Signal Ohio)

• The developer of a controversial carbon dioxide pipeline spanning multiple Midwest states initially eyed for sequestration now says it would primarily be used for enhanced oil recovery, reflecting permitting struggles and market realities. (Inside Climate News)

DATA CENTERS

• Michigan regulators reject a request to reconsider DTE Energy’s previously approved power supply contracts for a hyperscale data center, finding groups challenging the agreements lacked standing. (Detroit Free Press)

• A data center trade group is among opponents of PJM’s planned rules for co-locating power generation next to large loads, saying the proposal is too limiting and could create long delays and unreasonable rates. (Utility Dive)

• Northwest Indiana residents seek to block a data center that’s already under construction, citing zoning and environmental violations. (Chicago Tribune)

GRID

• Michigan regulators approve Consumers Energy’s $276.6 million electric rate increase, the company’s largest in about two decades, that executives say is needed to improve grid reliance. (MLive)

• Michigan lawmakers consider a virtual power plant bill that would require utility programs to pay owners of distributed energy resources for supporting the grid during high-demand periods. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE

• Michigan regulators approve six energy storage contracts totaling more than 1,300 MW of capacity across the state to improve grid reliability. (9&10 News)

OVERSIGHT

• North Dakota Republican delegates endorse a candidate for a six-year term on the state’s Public Service Commission who said he wants to give further scrutiny to utility rate increase requests. (North Dakota Monitor)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Many homes already have the power to electrify, study finds — Alison F. Takemura

• My city’s two wind turbines are shutting down. Here’s what we’re losing. — Sarah Shemkus

• The Iran war is driving a clean energy wake-up call — Kathryn Krawczyk