Ohio Democrats seek to overhaul utility oversight

OVERSIGHT: Ohio Democrats propose changing how nominations and appointments are made to the state’s Public Utilities Commission in an effort to improve consumer protection following a major corruption scandal. (Ohio Capital Journal)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Michigan leaders see a ​“very exciting opportunity” to land a share of $2 billion in federal climate change grants that tackle environmental justice. (Planet Detroit/​IPR)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• A Wisconsin committee advances legislation to exempt gas stations and grocery stores from a law requiring charging station operators to be regulated as utilities. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Illinois lands a $14.9 million federal grant to install electric vehicle charging stations at 273 new locations, including 36 fast-charging stations. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Some of Michigan’s 5,000 gas station operators say they will lean more into custom delis, selling liquor and other retail options to stay profitable as electric vehicle adoption grows. (Bridge)

OIL & GAS: While environmental groups see a new federal rule as a major opportunity to cut methane emissions, officials in oil- and gas-producing states see burdensome regulations that won’t move the emissions needle. (States Newsroom)

RENEWABLES: Dearborn, Michigan, becomes the largest city in the state to enroll in a utility’s voluntary clean energy program to offset all municipal buildings’ power use with renewables by 2026. (WXYZ)

NUCLEAR: A southwestern Michigan county could lose up to $3.5 million in tax revenue if a nuclear plant owner is successful in reducing the plant’s taxable value. (Harbor Country News)

POLITICS: The planned departure of several longtime U.S. House and Senate members who have played key roles in energy policy raises concerns about brain drain with the loss of their institutional knowledge on issues. (E&E News)

SOLAR:

• Opponents of an 80 MW Ohio solar project blame it for recent flooding; a state official said the ponding was in line with what would be expected after an especially wet week. (WCPO)
• Microsoft signs a power purchase agreement to acquire the generation from a 125 MW solar project in Ohio. (PV Tech)

BIOFUELS: Three convenience store chains in Illinois receive a combined $10 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding to install biofuel storage tanks and dispensers. (WCIA)

COMMENTARY: As ethanol prices dip to three-year lows and electric vehicle demand increases, South Dakota corn farmers will need to find other off takers or become diversified, a columnist writes. (South Dakota Standard)