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Study finds racial disparities in Minnesota utility shutoffs

By Andy Balaskovitz

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UTILITIES: Energy justice advocates say Minnesota regulators should reinstate a moratorium on utility shutoffs after researchers found racial disparities in disconnections by Xcel Energy. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Minnesota consumer advocates raise concerns that the world’s largest asset manager’s plan to acquire utility Allete could thwart competition and potentially pose a conflict of interest. (Star Tribune)

SOLAR:

  • A longtime Ohio county official lost his primary election earlier this year to a political newcomer for supporting a proposed 800 MW solar project that was approved by state regulators. (Inside Climate News)
  • Minnesota regulators approve a developer’s plan for a 160 MW solar project. (Renewables Now)
  • A developer breaks ground on a 228 MW solar project in southern Indiana, which would be one of the largest in the state. (PV Magazine)

OIL & GAS:

GRID:

  • A Michigan energy regulator says states will need to be quicker and more adaptable to contend with rising load growth that could threaten clean energy mandates. (Utility Dive)
  • Experts say states’ and regions’ ability to follow through on construction is a major challenge after federal regulators approved new rules to speed up transmission projects. (Canary Media)

EMISSIONS:

  • A recent study analyzing landfills in Illinois and seven other states found that federal methods for detecting methane leaks are flawed and emissions are likely much higher than are being reported. (Chicago Tribune)
  • Some members on a Minneapolis board say a program that generates revenue for tree planting by selling carbon credits amounts to greenwashing and doesn’t actually reduce companies’ emissions. (Star Tribune)

CLEAN ENERGY: Two Michigan agencies are designated to use federal funding to supplement large clean energy projects in the state. (Michigan Advance)

CARBON CAPTURE: A federal watchdog agency says the U.S. Department of Energy is falling short when determining financial and technical risks of carbon capture projects. (E&E News, subscription)

CLIMATE:

  • Minnesota is among states that have reexamined how they issue air quality alerts to protect public health as wildfire smoke makes poor air quality more common. (Inside Climate News)
  • Michigan officials say climate change is poised to create public health risks from poor air quality, contaminated water and more severe weather events. (Michigan Advance)

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