Midwest

Electric vehicles

The bid to make Illinois a leader on electric trucking

The state is considering adopting California’s ambitious clean trucks standards even as President Trump threatens to block them.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 April 2025
Utilities

Ohio utility retracts energy-efficiency plan despite potential savings

Duke Energy Ohio’s retreat is the latest chapter in a struggle to restore utility-run energy-saving programs that were eliminated by a 2019 law.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 March 2025
Carbon-free buildings

Illinois city passes law to slash emissions from big buildings

Evanston is the latest in a growing wave of municipalities and states enacting laws to decarbonize existing buildings, a major source of planet-warming emissions.

By Akielly Hu . 27 March 2025
Nuclear

Indiana utilities want ratepayers to fork out for small nuclear reactors

State legislators are advancing bills that allow utilities to charge for the process of planning SMRs, even if the plants never get built.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 March 2025
Solar

Ohio Supreme Court weighs high-stakes solar permitting case

Local government opposition sank a proposed solar farm’s permit. The developer says state regulators failed to consider whether the pushback was rooted in evidence.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 17 March 2025
Electric vehicles

Chicago community group advances EVs, despite federal setbacks

The Bronzeville Community Development Partnership is working to foster clean transportation innovation in a historic hub for electric vehicles.

By Audrey Henderson . 14 March 2025
Utilities

Time-based rates convince Chicago-area residents to shift electricity use

ComEd is the latest major utility to adopt voluntary time-of-use rates, which can save residents — particularly EV owners — money on their energy bills.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2025
Clean energy

Illinois proves states have a lot of power to advance clean energy

The state is working on its third major climate bill in the last decade, after the past two propelled solar deployment and clean jobs.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 7 March 2025
Solar

Another big Ohio solar project bites the dust

The Grange Solar project would have brought millions of dollars in economic benefits to the area, but state regulatory staff deemed it not in the public interest.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 7 March 2025
Transmission

After groundbreaking bills on jobs and solar, Illinois tackles the grid

State lawmakers are pushing for more grid-enhancing tech, gigawatts of new energy storage, and the creation of a virtual power plant program.

By Kari Lydersen . 3 March 2025