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States overtake local authority on renewable permitting

By Andy Balaskovitz

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OVERSIGHT: Michigan is among a growing number of states that are moving renewable energy siting authority from local governments to state regulators in an effort to get more projects built. (Associated Press)

ALSO:

  • The chairperson of Wisconsin’s Public Service Commission plans to step down on Feb. 2 while a GOP-led committee denies the confirmation of another member appointed by Gov. Tony Evers. (WUWM, Wisconsin Examiner)
  • South Dakota lawmakers advance legislation that would bring hydrogen pipelines under the state Public Utilities Commission’s oversight. (KELO)

POLITICS:

POLICY: After passing sweeping clean energy laws last year, Michigan legislators still are considering a variety of energy bills involving community solar, grid reliability and utilities’ political contributions. (Bridge)

WASTE-TO-ENERGY: Advocates say environmental justice concerns remain for communities with waste-to-energy facilities as the U.S. EPA proposes new pollution restrictions on trash incineration. (Inside Climate News)

GRID:

  • Dangerously cold temperatures and storms across the Great Plains and Midwest today are pressuring power grids as utilities combat widespread outages. (CBS News)
  • A We Energies spokesperson said the utility on Monday was dealing with perhaps the ​“largest storm restoration in company history.” (WISN)
  • Michigan regulators order the state’s two largest utilities to improve communication with first responders and local governments during outages and extreme weather conditions. (MLive)

SOLAR:

CLIMATE: Nebraska officials over the coming weeks will hold public meetings to gather input on the state’s climate action plan. (Nebraska Examiner)

COMMENTARY:

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