Ohio solar project overcomes opposition to win state approval

CLEAN ENERGY

• Ohio advocates laud the state’s Power Siting Board for approving the proposed 120 MW Frasier solar installation in June, but worry that their focus on local government sentiment bodes poorly for future projects as anti-renewable energy movements gain steam. (Canary Media)

• Iowa Utility Alliant Energy proposes adding 1 GW of wind power to its grid to meet rising demand, and says the added capacity would come from multiple new developments across the state. (Sioux City Journal)

• Tech firm Festo brings online a rooftop solar array at its Ohio service center and expects it to offset about 48% of the facility’s annual electricity use. (news release)

• A Wisconsin organic farm says adding solar arrays to its previously off-grid facilities has transformed their operations and improved working conditions. (Yale Climate Connections)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Michigan advocates say the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers skirted federal environmental law by failing to adequately analyze the potential climate impacts of Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 5 oil pipeline in Michigan, and urge the agency to redo its environmental review. (Inside Climate News)

• Advocates say recently passed Louisiana, Indiana, and Ohio laws classifying natural gas as a ​“clean energy source” were based on a template created by the right wing American Legislative Exchange Council that receives funding from oil billionaire Charles Koch. (Grist)

• ArcLight Capital Partners moves to acquire the 484 MW Middletown natural gas plant in Butler County, Ohio. (Pipeline & Gas Journal)

GRID

• Invenergy urges U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to uphold a $4.9 billion Biden-era loan guarantee for its proposed Grain Belt Express transmission project after U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, indicated the Trump administration would block it. (E&E News)

UTILITIES

• Ohio regulators open an investigation into a recent rash of outages on FirstEnergy’s grid after Lakewood and Barberton elected officials accuse the utility of failing to invest in infrastructure. (Cleveland.com)

CLIMATE

• Indiana advocates criticize the state’s decision to abandon its climate action plan, saying it will result in ​“worse environmental outcomes for Hoosiers.” (WFYI)

BIOFUELS

• The U.S. Agriculture Department expects biofuel producers to consume more than half of all soybean oil produced nationally next year as federal policies boost the industry. (Reuters)

• A Wisconsin lawmaker introduces legislation that would establish a state tax credit for aviation biofuel production and require manufacturers to source material domestically. (Wisconsin Examiner)