Midwest

ENN

In Minnesota, old power plants could be the on-ramp for new wind and solar

Facing long delays for new transmission, Minnesota utilities are looking at retired power plants as locations to connect new wind and solar energy.

By Frank Jossi . 21 October 2021
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Indiana energy task force turns its attention to small nuclear reactors

Critics say the technology is a risky distraction from existing solutions such as wind, solar and demand response, but some experts and legislators are attracted to the potential of carbon-free baseload power plants.

By Kari Lydersen . 20 October 2021
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Ohio coal subsidies' benefits don't outweigh costs, economists say

Surveyed economists condemned the fact that coal plant owners have so far reaped $153 million under the historically corrupt House Bill 6, as well as the plants' climate impacts.

By Marty Schladen . 19 October 2021
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In Missouri, your utility might pay for your next big energy efficiency project

The state's utilities are launching Pay As You Save, providing up-front financing for efficiency upgrades that will pay for themselves

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 18 October 2021
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Coal lobbyist and health expert face off in Ohio’s 15th district congressional race

The sprawling district includes more than 2,000 MW of pending or proposed solar projects, as well as old coal mining areas.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 October 2021
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FirstEnergy, DeWine’s office and others still far from full disclosure on HB 6

Roadblocks at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, in Gov. Mike DeWine’s office and elsewhere could make it harder to prevent future corruption.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 October 2021
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Minnesota solar installer bankruptcies leave unfinished projects, calls for better oversight

The state’s solar energy trade group has made improving consumer protections a priority after a string of bankruptcies in recent years left dozens of customers stuck with unfinished projects.

By Frank Jossi . 11 October 2021
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Kansas counties consider new restrictions ahead of major solar project

Planning officials in Johnson and Douglas counties in eastern Kansas say it’s important to establish rules on size, location and setbacks for solar farms before NextEra moves forward with its West Gardner solar project.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 8 October 2021
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In Missouri, resource hubs aim to help building owners improve efficiency

Nonprofit groups have established resource centers in St. Louis and the Kansas City metro to help building owners upgrade properties as advocates press cities to adopt more stringent energy efficiency standards.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 7 October 2021
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Ohio regulators made ‘utility-friendly’ edits to audit of coal plant bailout, emails show

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff asked an auditor to use a “milder tone and intensity” when describing ratepayer bailouts of coal-fired power plants.

By Jake Zuckerman . 5 October 2021