Virtual power plants build support in Illinois

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.

GRID

• An Illinois bill gaining momentum before the end of the year would create a virtual power plant program that offers battery rebates to utility customers who let the battery be tapped for several hours during high demand periods. (Canary Media)

• The 350-mile, 2.1 GW SOO Green underground transmission line that would connect the grids of MISO and PJM moves forward after securing a key franchise agreement in Iowa. (Utility Dive)

PIPELINES

• A panel at a Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce event raises concerns that opposition to using eminent domain for carbon pipelines stems from both political parties. (South Dakota Searchlight)

CLEAN ENERGY

• The value of Illinois clean energy firm WindSolarUSA plummeted 75% this year as the outlook for the clean energy industry dims under the Trump administration. (WBEZ)

• Clean energy job growth barely rose in Indiana last year, and a new report from clean energy advocates suggests it will further worsen after the Trump administration’s move to cut various clean energy incentives. (Indiana Public Media)

DATA CENTERS

• Indiana regulators approve NIPSCO’s plan for recovering costs for building infrastructure to support data centers, which consumer advocates say doesn’t adequately protect ratepayers. (Chicago Tribune)

• Critics say an Illinois privacy law is limiting tech companies’ interest in building data centers there, leading the state’s clean energy generation to be exported to other states attracting data center development. (Crain’s Chicago)

NUCLEAR

• Centrus Energy’s Ohio uranium enrichment plant that supplies fuel for nuclear power plants plans a multibillion-dollar expansion. (WCMH)

CLIMATE

• Nebraska’s climate is becoming warmer and wetter because of climate change, according to an updated state-backed climate report that suggests decarbonizing the state’s energy mix. (Nebraska Examiner)

UTILITIES

• Minnesota regulators are expected to decide next week whether Minnesota Power’s parent company can sell to a private equity firm, which has committed to providing $50 million in bill credits and consider building cleaner alternatives to gas plants. (Duluth News Tribune)

• Indiana lawmakers consider the benefits of adopting multi-year rate-setting and performance-based incentives for utilities, though it’s not clear when legislation might be introduced. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

SOLAR

• A nonprofit in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will install free solar panels for three homeowners under a state program to cut energy costs for low-income residents. (WLUC)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• A new Iowa City Police Department EV is believed to be the first electric patrol car in the state. (CBS 2)

NEW FROM CANARY 

• Can climate comedy still work? This offshore wind ad suggests it can. — Clare Fieseler

• Chart: Check out how fast China is shifting to renewables — Dan McCarthy

• Sweden’s Stegra to supply green steel for Microsoft’s data centers — Maria Gallucci

• North Carolina funds repairs so Helene-hit homes can get energy upgrades — Elizabeth Ouzts