Xcel, Minnesota seek to get demand response growth back on track

GRID: After signups slowed for Xcel Energy demand response programs, some advocates say Minnesota should allow more use of third-party aggregators to boost participation in peak shaving and load shifting programs. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:

• Wisconsin consumer advocates oppose state lawmakers’ latest attempt to pass legislation that would limit competition and grant major utilities first rights to build transmission projects. (WUWM)

• Ameren Illinois will hold a public open house this week on a plan to construct or rebuild 380 miles of transmission lines across 13 counties. (Pantagraph)

• Ameren Missouri has deployed a ​“tree-eating” machine that is far more efficient than typical tree-trimming methods to improve grid reliability. (KSDK)

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CLIMATE: The U.S. Supreme Court will soon hear oil companies’ appeal over whether a Minnesota lawsuit seeking damages from greenhouse gas emissions belongs in state or federal court. (MinnPost)

CLEAN ENERGY: A proposed bill in Michigan would prohibit homeowners associations from blocking members seeking to make home energy upgrades, including adding rooftop panels and electric vehicle charging stations. (MLive)

UTILITIES: A federal judge dismisses a price gouging lawsuit brought by Kansas’ attorney general on a technicality, declining to rule on whether a large natural gas marketer improperly raises prices during a winter 2021 storm. (Capital-Journal)

PIPELINES: Some rural first responders raise concerns about their capacity to respond to a potential carbon pipeline incident as developers pursue multiple projects across the Midwest. (KMUW)

RENEWABLES: Record wind speeds in 2022 and nearly 20 years of wind energy investments helped MidAmerican Energy meet 100% of its power demand with wind, solar and hydroelectric sources last year. (WVIK)

EFFICIENCY: Michigan ratepayers save nearly $3 for every $1 spent on utility energy efficiency programs, according to state regulators. (Michigan Advance)

SOLAR: ComEd reports that more than 49,000 residential rooftop solar installations have been added in its territory, compared to less than 900 in 2016. (Solar Industry)

POLITICS: A nonprofit linked to DTE Energy gave $2 million in 2022 to help elect Michigan Democrats, who now control the state legislature and are considering reforms that include more utility accountability for outages. (Detroit News, subscription)

NUCLEAR: Environmental groups seek changes in how water is used at a southeastern Michigan nuclear plant as state regulators take public comments on a new draft wastewater permit. (Metro Times)

WIND: A local committee in eastern Kansas completes a draft ordinance on wind energy regulations that place restrictions on setback distances, turbine height and noise. (Lawrence Times)

SOLAR: At least 22 states have passed legislation encouraging independent community solar projects, which often fill up quickly with subscribers but are poised for major growth. (Washington Post)