U.S. EPA seeks analysis on Line 5 tunnel alternatives

PIPELINES: The U.S. EPA joins environmental groups in recommending that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assess alternatives to a tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac. (Michigan Advance)

ALSO:
• A modified agreement between the federal government and Enbridge would allow the company to not perform certain in-line inspections on Line 5 for at least 15 years. (Detroit News)
• A central Iowa county is poised to adopt restrictions on carbon pipelines that include setback distances. (Iowa State Daily)

POLITICS:
• Climate change and clean energy aren’t front-burner issues in Wisconsin’s race for governor, though the outcome of the race will shape the state’s energy future. (E&E News)
• The Democratic and Republican candidates for Michigan governor and attorney general differ greatly on the future of the Line 5 pipeline and climate change action. (Michigan Advance)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• An Inflation Reduction Act provision that only allows electric vehicle drivers to receive a full $7,500 tax credit if their car’s battery is manufactured in North America is spurring large manufacturing projects. (E&E News)
• A Stellantis executive says Michigan is under consideration to land one of the company’s next North American electric vehicle battery plants. (Detroit News)

SOLAR:
• A northern Illinois county board approves plans for three separate 5 MW solar projects over objections from some members that the project would remove productive farmland. (News Tribune)
• An Illinois school district considers a proposal to install solar panels on four schools and an administrative building that conservative estimates show would save the district nearly $2 million over 25 years. (SaukValley.com)

FOSSIL FUELS: A developer’s plan for a southern Indiana facility that converts coal to low-sulfur diesel hits a roadblock as local officials decline to move forward with a study on providing water for the plant. (WFYI)

GRID: Ameren completes a $215 million, St. Louis-area grid infrastructure project ahead of schedule that the utility says will improve reliability. (FOX 2)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Officials in a Des Moines suburb unanimously approve a resolution aiming to get 100% of the city’s electricity from carbon-free sources by 2030. (WOI-TV)
• A central Illinois economic development official sees benefits from commercial wind and solar projects that bring in additional tax revenue to communities. (WCBU)

HYDROGEN: An Ohio alliance will support a West Virginia-led initiative to create a regional hydrogen hub that would produce fuel close to where it would be used, typically industrial facilities or natural gas power plants. (RTO Insider, subscription)

EFFICIENCY: Ameren Illinois partners with a central Illinois arts organization on a mural project that promotes energy efficiency programs. (WMBD)

COMMENTARY: The Inflation Reduction Act creates opportunities for Indiana residents and businesses to invest in clean energy and help meet broader emission-reduction goals, an editorial board writes. (Herald Bulletin)