Midwest

Wind

How Iowa has turned against wind

Facing staunch local opposition and federal roadblocks, a new wind project in Iowa is teetering on the brink, despite growing power demand.

By Dan Gearino, Anika Jane Beamer . 3 February 2026
Data centers

Wisconsin debates how to pay for the power-hungry AI boom

Regulators mull the first big utility plan to provide electricity to data centers flocking to the state, igniting disputes over consumer protection and clean energy.

By Kari Lydersen . 27 January 2026
Data centers

Disputes over clean energy may doom Wisconsin data center bills

Democrats and Republicans want safeguards against rising power costs. But clashing visions for how data centers should use renewables stand in the way.

By Kari Lydersen . 16 January 2026
Solar

Illinois’ booming solar sector entices young job seekers

Thanks to strong state policy, Illinois is a leader on solar installations. That’s creating a lot of job opportunities — and young people are taking notice.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 January 2026
Fossil fuels

What a fracking-waste dispute says about Ohio’s energy double standard

Ohio is letting the oil and gas industry put more toxic waste underground despite community concerns — even as the state defers to local opponents of clean energy.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 13 January 2026
Utilities

Ohio utility corruption defendants to SCOTUS: Bribes are free speech

If the court rules in favor of a former lawmaker and a lobbyist convicted in Ohio’s HB 6 scandal, it would have huge implications for the utility sector and beyond.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 8 January 2026
Solar

Ohio’s largest utility pushes to slash rooftop solar compensation

The state’s Public Utilities Commission will decide this year whether to keep its solar net-metering rules in place or to dilute them, per AEP Ohio’s request.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 6 January 2026
Solar

How community solar turned a Superfund site into savings in Illinois

A new 9.1-MW solar array will help residents of Waukegan, Illinois, reduce energy bills. State incentives for low-income solar made the project possible.

By Kari Lydersen . 5 January 2026
Solar

Is Kansas on the cusp of a solar boom?

The sun-drenched state is a solar laggard, but that’s changing thanks to a slew of big projects — including a 270-MW installation that just landed a customer.

By Alexander C. Kaufman . 23 December 2025
Data centers

PJM’s capacity costs hit record as grid falls short on supply

Data center construction and clogged-up generation queues are driving costs — and political backlash — in the country’s biggest power market.

By Jeff St. John . 18 December 2025