N.D. ​‘clean crypto’ fueled by dirty power

GRID: North Dakota officials market the state as a clean-grid destination for cryptocurrency companies, but experts say mining operations are likely to run on an energy mix that’s dirtier than the national average. (Energy News Network)

COAL: North Dakota coal country emerged as a desirable place for a processing plant to make electric vehicle battery materials because of its access to fly ash, which helps dispose of waste from nickel ore processing. (Inforum)

MICROGRIDS: Columbus, Ohio, officials unveil a solar- and battery-powered microgrid designed to power water storage and pumping towers instead of diesel generators in the event of an outage. (Columbus Dispatch)

RENEWABLES:
• DTE Energy’s long-term energy plan is among the first in the country to show how the Inflation Reduction Act will shift utility spending toward renewable energy while lowering costs for customers. (E&E News, subscription)
• A northeastern Kansas county will hold a public hearing today on a proposed wind and solar moratorium. (KSNT)

CLIMATE:
• Republicans say if they take control of the House this week they will block further consideration of pending federal regulations requiring companies to disclose climate-related risks and greenhouse gas emissions. (Inside Climate News)
• A contingent of Minnesota college students focus on climate justice as their most important political issue. (MPR News)

SOLAR:
• An energy cooperative seeks to recruit participants in a 1.4 MW community solar project in southwestern Minnesota. (West Central Tribune)
• The city of South Bend, Indiana, partners with five local nonprofits to install solar projects to reduce electric bills and furthering the city’s carbon neutral goals. (WNDU)
• Construction begins on a 50 MW Alliant Energy solar project in southern Wisconsin. (Monroe Times)
• A Missouri retailer installing a 1.6 MW rooftop solar project expects to save $4.5 million in energy costs over the next 20 years. (PV Magazine)

HYDROELECTRIC: County officials in central Michigan support an economic impact study of more than a dozen hydroelectric dams in the area as Consumers Energy determines the sites’ value for future generation. (Big Rapids Pioneer)

UTILITIES: Residential CenterPoint Energy customers in southern Indiana pay the highest electricity rates in the state, according to state data. (Courier & Press)

EFFICIENCY: A southwestern Michigan village receives a $300,000 state grant to fund residential energy efficiency projects. (Leader Publications)

POLITICS: A U.S. Senate race in Wisconsin and Ohio Supreme Court races in this week’s election are among top contests across the country that could determine the future of climate policies. (Grist)

COMMENTARY: A Minnesota clean energy advocate says the state’s renewable energy progress is worth celebrating but also has far greater potential. (MinnPost)