Midwest

Fossil fuels

Trump admin defends its coal must-run orders in court

The administration told judges that it alone has the power to decide whether an energy emergency exists, a claim that a Michigan official called “unprecedented.”

By Marianne Lavelle . 19 May 2026
Utilities

Ohio utilities report subpar grid reliability as they seek a lower bar

FirstEnergy and Duke say factors like worsening extreme weather led to missed 2025 targets. The state will soon decide whether to accept more and longer outages.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 May 2026
Fossil fuels

The Indiana community caught between coal and the data center boom

In rural Jasper County, two defining energy trends of the Trump era — reviving coal and building gas-powered data centers — are converging.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 May 2026
Land use

Confusing ballot wording may have tipped Ohio vote on renewables ban

Exit polling suggests Richland County would have elected to repeal its wind and solar ban, if not for residents who mistakenly voted in favor of the restriction.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 11 May 2026
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 . 22 April 2026