Ohio lawmakers revisit nuclear subsidies and renewable siting

OHIO: Ohio lawmakers held second hearings this week on twin bills that critics say would infringe on individuals’ property rights and make it nearly impossible to finance large-scale wind and solar projects. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• The Ohio House passes a bill to revoke $1 billion in subsidies for two nuclear plants, which needs to be reconciled with a state Senate version. (Cleveland.com)
• Ohio GOP state Rep. Bill Seitz says it’s ​“false to insinuate” that corruption in the state House was related to the passage of the state’s power plant subsidy law, despite multiple guilty pleas to corruption charges. (Cleveland.com)
• Ohio regulators will expand an audit of FirstEnergy to see if ratepayer money was wrongfully used to pay a company tied to former PUCO Chairman Sam Randazzo. (Cleveland.com)

SOLAR:
• An Iowa company produces solar-powered energy storage units made from shipping containers to use during disasters or peak demand. (Business Record)
• A Wisconsin community solar project is 75% subscribed after a local company commits to purchasing 30% of available solar blocks. (Fond du Lac Reporter)
• An Indiana county considers zoning regulations that would increase setback requirements and create screening guidelines for solar projects. (WKVI)
• Local officials advance plans for two Ohio solar projects totaling 100 MW of capacity. (Times Gazette)

PIPELINES: Five Republican members of Michigan’s congressional delegation call on President Biden to prevent a potential shutdown of Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac in May. (MLive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: An Ohio agency awards roughly $3.2 million in grants to support the installation of more than 500 electric vehicle charging stations across the state. (Dayton Business Journal)

CLIMATE: Critics of Columbus, Ohio’s climate action plan says it doesn’t go far enough with a proposed 25% cut to carbon emissions by 2030. (Columbus Dispatch)

UTILITIES: Two Nebraska electric cooperatives are among seven to file a complaint with federal regulators alleging that the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association is blocking their attempts to leave the organization. (Colorado Sun)

WIND: An Illinois county board approves changes to local wind regulations that aim to limit shadow flicker on properties near wind turbines. (Piatt County Journal-Republican)

OIL & GAS:
• North Dakota lawmakers consider a tax credit for oil producers that install flaring mitigation systems. (Inforum)
• Ameren Illinois is investing $4.7 million to upgrade its natural gas system in four southern Illinois communities. (WPSD)

COMMENTARY:
• Local government advocates in Indiana say legislation to set statewide renewable energy regulations would strip communities’ home-rule powers. (Indianapolis Star)
• Renewable energy projects can ​“help farming families stay operating through difficult economic conditions,” says a member of the Wisconsin Land and Liberty Coalition. (Madison Capital Times)
• A Minnesota utility executive says reliability remains a core component to the company’s long-term clean energy plan. (Duluth News Tribune)