What’s missing from Michigan’s new climate law?

SOLAR: Some Michigan environmental groups are disappointed that newly enacted state clean energy laws do not include a community solar policy framework. (Planet Detroit)

ALSO: U.S. utility-scale solar development soared in the third quarter as 4.1 GW of capacity was added to the grid, a 107% increase from the same period last year. (Utility Dive)

GRID:

• An Iowa court finds that a state law granting incumbent utilities first rights to develop transmission projects is unconstitutional. (Utility Dive)
• U.S. military and defense facilities will likely face rising energy risks as the nation’s power grid becomes less reliable, experts say. (Utility Dive)

COAL:

• Indiana environmental groups call on state regulators to enforce alleged pollution violations at a coal plant that was supposed to shut down earlier this year but continues to operate. (Lakeshore Public Media)
• Xcel Energy will power down the first of three coal units at its Sherco power plant in central Minnesota at the end of the month. (Project Optimist)

RENEWABLES:

• Local government officials in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula seek to understand their zoning options under a new state law that shifts renewable energy permitting to state regulators. (TV 6)
• The new Michigan law shifting utility-scale wind and solar project permitting from local governments to state regulators should make it easier to develop projects, supporters say. (Crain’s Detroit Business, subscription)

NUCLEAR: Anti-nuclear groups call on federal regulators to block a company’s attempt to restart a nuclear plant along Lake Michigan. (Michigan Radio)

RESEARCH: Iowa State University professors say investments in clean energy research are needed now to avoid future price spikes from transitioning from fossil fuels. (Iowa State Daily)

JOBS: A recent report found that more than 3 million people work in clean energy jobs in the U.S., a 4% increase in 2022. (Yale Climate Connections)

COMMENTARY:

• Countering criticism of plans for a new gas plant, executives with Michigan’s largest municipal utility say the company is a leader among in-state utilities for its commitment to clean energy. (City Pulse)
• A Michigan clean energy expert says state lawmakers shouldn’t disproportionately burden electric vehicle drivers with fees to make up for lost gasoline tax revenue. (Bridge)
• An advocate writes that renewable natural gas is an untapped clean energy solution for states like Wisconsin, where the technology can also reduce methane emissions and phosphorus runoff. (Shepherd Express)