Midwest

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
Transmission

How a community solar breakthrough took shape in Illinois

Utilities, solar companies, and environmentalists worked together to fast-track flexible interconnection and build lots of community solar in record time.

By Jeff St. John . 6 April 2026
Green steel

Green steel is the way forward for Indiana, former steelworkers say

Advocates warn that what’s left of the industry could be lost if companies choose to invest in dirty blast furnaces instead of modernizing with cleaner steelmaking.

By Kari Lydersen . 2 April 2026
Green steel

What’s next for Ohio’s former green steel project? More coal, it seems.

Cleveland-Cliffs won a federal grant to install hydrogen-ready tech. Now, it wants to revamp its Middletown blast furnace, raising questions about its use of funds.

By Maria Gallucci, Kathiann M. Kowalski . 25 March 2026
Solar

Ohio blocks big solar farm, despite apparently fake public comments

Regulators acknowledged the suspicious comments but deferred to local government opposition to Crossroads Solar, continuing what some see as unfair siting practices.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 24 March 2026
Utilities

Ann Arbor, Michigan, prepares to launch its own clean energy utility

Investor-owned utilities have been slow to ditch fossil fuels. The city of Ann Arbor plans to boost access to renewables with a unique model rolling out this year.

By Carey L. Biron . 23 March 2026
Solar

Balcony solar bill gains momentum in Illinois

More than two dozen states are considering bills that would make it easier for households to adopt plug-in solar arrays. Illinois could be next to pass one.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 March 2026