Thumb on the scale for coal

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

COAL

• The Trump administration has propped up nearly half of the 184 U.S. coal plants connected to the grid with taxpayer-funded handouts, air pollution exemptions, and emergency orders to stay open, according to the Environmental Defense Fund. (Canary Media)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Five clean energy advocacy groups intervene in FirstEnergy’s latest rate case, calling for equitable grid infrastructure improvements to support clean energy and more financial support for energy efficiency in low-income homes. (Canary Media)
• Clean energy trade groups and ratepayer advocates say MISO’s proposal to fast-track large load and generation interconnection lacks consumer protections and would benefit vertically integrated utilities over independent producers. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Ford’s new Fathom electric pickup truck that will start at less than $30,000 will be equipped with an inverter allowing for bidirectional charging to send power back to a home when needed. (Canary Media)
• General Motors plans to invest $750 million, including $500 million from a restructured federal grant, to build hybrid versions of three popular crossover models at a plant in Lansing, Michigan. (Automotive News)

NUCLEAR

• The U.S. Department of Energy approves a $5 billion loan for Constellation Energy to fund upgrades at nuclear plants in Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and increase output by about 1.1 GW. (Reuters)

ELECTION

• Wisconsin could be poised for a consequential election that benefits the clean energy industry, as Democrats have a shot at securing a trifecta in state government with an opportunity to appoint new utility regulators. (Inside Climate News)

UTILITIES

• A Michigan ballot measure to significantly curb utility political contributions comes as customer dissatisfaction mounts over rising bills and outages. (Grist)
• The DOE closes a $5.1 billion loan for Alliant Energy to expand gas power generation and battery storage, improve its existing generation facilities, and strengthen grid reliability across Iowa and Wisconsin. (news release)

BATTERIES

• Michigan may not claw back a $23.7 million grant for Gotion following the company’s failed plan for a $2.4 billion battery plant, and instead take back ownership of the land that was set for the project. (MLive)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Iowa county officials near Cedar Rapids unanimously reject plans for a 720 MW natural gas plant, though state utility regulators could approve the project and override the local decision. (Radio Iowa)

SOLAR

• Minnesota and utility officials say solar projects offer a path forward for former landfill sites while also benefiting nearby residents. (MPR News)
• A jury trial in a lawsuit challenging a 159-MW Kansas solar project has been moved back to summer 2027, months after the project’s conditional use permit is set to expire. (Lawrence Journal-World)
• Bills to create a statewide community solar program in Michigan continue to languish despite bipartisan support, as the state’s major utilities remain opposed and tout their own programs. (Michigan Advance)
• Western Michigan county leaders vote to formally intervene in a case before state regulators involving plans for a controversial 1,900-acre solar project that’s drawn local opposition. (MLive)

DATA CENTERS

• A startup and an economic development agency are pursuing a potential $10 billion data center outside Lansing, Michigan, as backers hope to overcome growing opposition to hyperscale projects with upfront transparency. (Bridge)