Midwest

Solar

Balcony solar bill dies in Illinois after union voices opposition

Legislation to open the door for small plug-in solar panels hit roadblocks, including safety concerns raised by the state's electrical workers union

By Kari Lydersen . 8 May 2026
Land use

Resident-led campaign fails to reverse Ohio county’s ban on renewables

Locals pushed deep-red Richland County to be the first to nix a wind and solar ban. The close vote suggests bipartisan support for clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 May 2026
Utilities

Supreme Court won’t hear appeal in Ohio utility bribery case

It’s the end of the line for the only two people serving prison time related to the HB 6 scandal, which cost utility customers big and stymied clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 April 2026
Politics

Fossil fuel promoters tied to campaign to keep Ohio county renewable ban

Richland County voters are deciding whether to reject a wind and solar ban. Organizations linked to pro-gas interests have given money to keep it in place.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 24 April 2026
$Aerial view of a site with fracking equipment surrounded by forest$

Fossil fuels

An Ohio court may OK fracking-waste wells despite pollution concerns

A legal challenge to the fossil fuel project faces dismissal, which would let the developer advance even as similar local pushback stifles Ohio’s solar buildout.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 23 April 2026
Long-duration energy storage

A new thermal battery could help this Minnesota campus electrify heat

Cache Energy’s pilot project harnesses excess wind power from UMN Morris’ two turbines to heat a carpentry shop and could be expanded across campus.

By Brian Martucci, MinnPost . 22 April 2026
Utilities

What to expect as Ohio utility corruption trial heads for a do-over

The trial for two former FirstEnergy execs on criminal charges linked to the HB 6 scandal ended with a hung jury. A retrial is scheduled for September.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 April 2026
Clean energy

This Ohio county put a ban on wind and solar. Will voters reverse it?

Richland County blocked large-scale renewables in most townships. Voters now have a rare opportunity to overturn that policy at the ballot box.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 13 April 2026
Data centers

Data centers are on the ballot in 2026 — and just failed the first test

A Wisconsin city voted to add new hurdles to data center development in response to unwanted construction, and more communities could soon follow suit.

By Kathryn Krawczyk . 10 April 2026
Virtual power plants

Xcel Minnesota is building a first-of-its-kind virtual power plant

Minnesota regulators just approved Xcel’s plan for a utility-owned VPP. Supporters say it could serve as a model for other utilities — but critics aren’t so sure.

By Jeff St. John . 8 April 2026