Midwest

ENN

New case study, federal assistance boost ‘smart neighborhood’ concept in Highland Park

A report from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Parker Village detailed the feasibility of using a microgrid to power the Michigan community.

By Rukiya Colvin . 11 April 2022
ENN

After rough start, electric buses are back on the road in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Metro Transit idled its first batch of electric buses due to mechanical and charging problems. They’re now back in service, along with a plan to convert almost 12% of its fleet to electric models over the next five years.

By Frank Jossi . 7 April 2022
ENN

Missouri Senate committee takes up bill targeting Grain Belt Express transmission line

The bill faces opposition from those who argue the line shouldn’t be able to use eminent domain to build on unwilling landowners' properties.

By Allison Kite . 5 April 2022
ENN

Illinois environmental justice bill would help residents prevent pollution

Grassroots leaders of successful fights against coal plants and petcoke are taking the lead: "Communities must have a way to be involved in a permitting process that is really broken," one said.

By Kari Lydersen . 31 March 2022
ENN

Minnesota bill aims to close a gap on funding for ‘pre-weatherization’ work

A suburban state lawmaker’s bill would supplement federal weatherization funding with $60 million over the next three years, nearly doubling the money available and providing crucial flexibility to cover “pre-weatherization” work.

By Frank Jossi . 31 March 2022
ENN

Wisconsin city finds a path to solar despite third-party ownership hurdle

The city of La Crosse used an energy savings performance contract with Johnson Controls to work around the state’s legal uncertainty over solar installations owned by third parties.

By Kari Lydersen . 28 March 2022
ENN

Commentary: Energy storage is imperative for a reliable, resilient electric grid

For Michigan to be ready for the advanced energy future, policymakers need to set the stage now to ensure the state has the energy storage deployed that it will need in the coming years, writes guest commentator Laura Sherman.

By Laura Sherman . 25 March 2022
ENN

FirstEnergy’s CEO and SVP ordered $64 million bribery scheme, shareholders say

An attorney for FirstEnergy shareholders pointed the finger at two utility executives for the first time in the bribery case against the utility.

By Jake Zuckerman . 24 March 2022
ENN

Minnesota cities want permission to move faster than state on energy codes

A proposal at the Legislature would allow cities to adopt updated building energy codes before the state for larger and commercial buildings only.

By Frank Jossi . 24 March 2022
ENN

Lights out: Profitable Michigan utility shut off electricity to homes hundreds of thousands of times

Three months into the pandemic, Michigan’s largest power company, DTE Energy, began ramping up power shut-offs for customers behind on their bills. A regulatory system built to prioritize investors, not affordability, let it happen.

By Sarah Alvarez . 22 March 2022