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Wisconsin Republicans oust utility regulator

By Andy Balaskovitz

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OVERSIGHT: Wisconsin’s GOP-controlled Senate votes to fire a former renewable energy advocate from the state’s Public Service Commission in a move Democrats say was purely political. (Wisconsin Examiner)

ALSO: A new progressive majority on the Minneapolis City Council has renamed its public works committee as the ​“Climate and Infrastructure” committee to better reflect its priorities. (Star Tribune)

OHIO: The Ohio Supreme Court rules that assets of the former head of the state’s Public Utilities Commission can be frozen in connection to a corruption scandal where he accepted a $4.3 million bribe from FirstEnergy. (Ohio Capital Journal)

RENEWABLES:

  • An Indiana bill would loosen criteria for counties to qualify for incentives under a state program to encourage consistent statewide permitting rules for wind and solar projects. (WFYI)
  • The head of an Indiana farm management and real estate services firm says wind turbines add $500 to $1,000 in property value per acre for each turbine hosted onsite. (AgriNews)

OIL & GAS:

GRID:

POWER PLANTS: Superior, Wisconsin, officials will hold a public hearing today on plans for a 550 MW natural gas plant that backers say is needed to support intermittent renewable energy but the mayor calls a threat to the environment. (Northern News Now)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

  • Minnesota will use the remaining $14 million of its Volkswagen settlement money to build 13 fast-charging stations along highways across the state and help school districts replace 50 diesel buses. (Star Tribune)
  • Panasonic executives say they continue to negotiate with utility officials over the delivery of electricity to a 4.7 million square foot electric vehicle battery plant scheduled to come online in Kansas next year. (Kansas Reflector)
  • “It definitely dies a lot faster” and requires more planning, Minnesota Tesla drivers report about their car batteries during currently frigid temperatures. (WCCO)

COMMENTARY:

  • A Minnesota editorial board backs the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to keep a climate lawsuit against major fossil fuel companies in state court and potentially hold the companies liable for damages. (Mankato Free Press)
  • Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who’s running for a U.S. Senate seat, claims renewable energy subsidies ​“tied to fake and unjustified outrage over the environment lack any humanity or common sense.” (Highland County Press)

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