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Xcel agrees to study racial disparities with utility shutoffs

By Andy Balaskovitz

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UTILITIES: Xcel Energy agrees to new consumer protections and to conduct a one-year study on utility shutoffs, though advocates say the agreement and a recent regulatory hearing largely sidestepped the issue of racial disparities. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Minnesota’s largest gas supplier reaches a settlement with consumer advocates that would slightly increase rates this year but halve the amount the utility charges customers for membership in a controversial trade group. (Sahan Journal)

GRID:

  • MISO approves a $21.8 billion plan for 24 new transmission projects in nine states that supporters say will help create a transmission ​“backbone” that supports growing demand. (E&E News)
  • Chicago is emerging as a hotbed for data center development, which will likely require new investments in electric grid infrastructure, experts say. (Chicago Sun-Times)

CARBON CAPTURE:

  • A North Dakota commission approves three carbon capture storage sites for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed multi-state carbon pipeline. (Associated Press)
  • Minnesota regulators approve a 28-mile segment of the pipeline, but will require construction to start in North Dakota first. (MPR News)
  • Summit Carbon Solutions threatens to sue the Sierra Club and other critics for allegedly making false and defamatory comments about the project. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
  • Michigan lawmakers advance a bill that would give the state oversight of the carbon capture industry, though environmental groups say more time to study the issue is needed. (Michigan Advance)

SOLAR:

  • Wisconsin regulators approve plans for a nearly 1,300 MW solar project, which would be the largest in the state and among the largest in the country. (Stevens Point Journal)
  • Meta signs power purchase agreements for four solar projects owned by Chicago-based Invenergy, including one in Ohio. (ESG Dive)

WIND: Wind development interest appears to be growing in southwestern Wisconsin with several proposed projects in the pipeline, though some landowners are organizing in opposition. (Telegraph Herald)

AIR POLLUTION: A Chicago program to deploy air pollution monitors at dozens of locations across the city is indefinitely delayed after the official overseeing the program was pushed out of city government. (Chicago Sun-Times)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Utilities will need to pay closer attention to, and invest in, grid distribution systems to handle the influx of electric vehicles, experts say. (Canary Media)

OIL AND GAS: An Ohio Congress member wants to ramp up liquefied natural gas production in his home state with support from the incoming Trump administration. (Spectrum News)

COMMENTARY: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is dragging her feet by failing to apply for federal energy efficiency rebate funding that could help lower utility bills for low-income residents, a community advocate writes. (Starting Line)

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