Ohio steelmaker slashes emissions

EMISSIONS: Federal officials recognize Ohio-based steel producer Cleveland-Cliffs for slashing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a third, though advocates say there’s room for further cuts. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker intends to sign a new bill into law that partially lifts the state’s 36-year moratorium on new nuclear plant construction to permit small modular reactors. (State Journal-Register)

SOLAR:

• Wisconsin regulators reject another utility’s request to end net metering in exchange for a program that compensates customers less for excess solar power sent to the grid. (Wisconsin Examiner)
• The Indiana Municipal Power Agency completes a nearly 10 MW solar project that officials say will help it transition from coal and avoid increasing rates. (Washington Times Herald)
• Eastern Michigan township officials reject a developer’s 900-acre solar project after residents raised concerns about removing farmland from production. (Times Herald)

PIPELINES:

• Iowa evidentiary hearings on Summit’s proposed carbon pipeline have concluded, leaving several weeks for additional written testimony before state regulators make a final permitting decision. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• Summit officials are optimistic they will receive a favorable ruling from Iowa regulators. (KTIV)

CLEAN ENERGY: Compared to Minnesota and Illinois, Michigan’s planned clean energy shift may be the most ambitious given its starting point with more fossil fuels, according to a clean energy analyst. (Inside Climate News)

FOSSIL FUELS: Minnesota regulators approve a utility’s plan to convert a natural gas peaker plant to run on diesel fuel oil. (MPR)

CLIMATE: Organizers hope a new Minnesota climate corps jobs program will help diversify the state’s clean energy workforce as it completes energy efficiency jobs in Minneapolis-St. Paul. (Star Tribune)

COAL: Residents living near a recently retired coal plant in Lansing, Michigan, raise concerns about potential groundwater contamination as the plant owner continues coal ash remediation. (WLNS)

RENEWABLES: An eastern Ohio township will ban commercial wind and solar projects based on local opposition to a proposed development. (Vindicator)

COMMENTARY: An Illinois editorial board commends state lawmakers for passing a new bill to lift the state’s nuclear moratorium so small modular reactors can be included in Illinois’ zero-carbon portfolio. (News-Gazette)