Midwest

Clean energy

These conservatives want government to stop working against clean energy

At the National Conservative Energy Summit in Cleveland, developers and regulators warned that restrictive laws are stalling wind and solar projects.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 4 September 2025
Green steel

Nippon Steel to begin relining Indiana blast furnace next year

The owner of U.S. Steel confirmed plans to revamp the aging coal-fueled facility at its Gary Works complex. Community groups want a low-carbon steel mill instead.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump admin orders dirty, expensive coal plant to stay open even longer

Keeping J.H. Campbell open past its slated close is costing Midwest households big. Advocates fear that more such orders are on the way.

By Jeff St. John . 21 August 2025
Utilities

Ohio Utility Watch: ‘Power corrupts’ and regulatory cases continue

The latest edition of Ohio Utility Watch, a periodic newsletter tracking developments in Ohio's House Bill 6 scandal.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 August 2025
Fossil fuels

In Appalachia, fracking is not the job creator the industry claims

Oil and gas production isn’t translating to more jobs for residents of heavily fracked communities, new research shows.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Ohio finally ends subsidies for two scandal-linked coal plants

Under the state’s infamous HB6 law, customers had to pay over half a billion dollars to keep the two 1950s-era plants running. A new law ends the subsidies this month.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 7 August 2025
Electrification

Meet Minnesota’s electric coffee roasting pioneers

Minneapolis-based Coffeewomple is one of the first U.S. roasters to use a commercial-scale electric coffee roaster, navigating higher costs for climate benefits.

By Dan Haugen . 5 August 2025
Electric vehicles

Can EV ambassadors help Chicago drivers go electric?

Aiming to help Illinois get 1 million EVs on the road by 2030, the state’s largest utility is tapping community leaders to convince neighbors to ditch gas cars.

By Kari Lydersen . 5 August 2025
Utilities

HB 6 regulatory cases weigh what FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities should pay

The company's utilities argue they obeyed Ohio’s corporate separation law and that other issues merit only minor consequences. Opponents disagree.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 1 August 2025
Nuclear

A retired nuclear plant in Michigan is about to restart, a first for US

The 800-MW Palisades plant received key federal approvals to open three years after shutting down and has ambitious plans to be operational by the end of 2025.

By Eric Wesoff . 29 July 2025