Midwest

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
Fossil fuels

Trump deal for a $33B gas megaplant in Ohio faces huge hurdles

The government’s surprise announcement lacked key details, leading some to doubt if the project can secure equipment, permits, and room on the grid any time soon.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 March 2026
Nuclear

Draft bill would let utilities own nuclear plants in Ohio

Last year, the state banned utilities from building and operating electricity generation. But now, some lawmakers want to make an exception for “advanced nuclear.”

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 12 March 2026
Data centers

Illinois to data centers: Bring your own renewables and skip the line

Proposed legislation offers perks for data centers that invest in clean energy. A broad coalition supports the bill, but details still need to be hammered out.

By Kari Lydersen . 12 March 2026
Utilities

Ohio corruption trial traces tactics to prop up nuclear and coal plants

Former FirstEnergy execs Chuck Jones and Mike Dowling face state criminal charges connected to HB 6 bailout maneuvers, for which Ohioans are still paying the price.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 27 February 2026
Utilities

Illinois cities move to cut ties with a massive coal plant

Two communities seeking cleaner, cheaper energy are resisting pressure to extend deals that bind them to getting power from one of the nation’s dirtiest plants.

By Kari Lydersen . 26 February 2026
Batteries

Gigantic Form Energy battery to power Google data center in Minnesota

The startup has struck a deal with Xcel Energy to build a 30 gigawatt-hour battery plant that will deliver clean energy, round the clock, to a Google facility.

By Julian Spector . 24 February 2026