Midwest

Offshore wind

FirstEnergy bribery scheme sank Lake Erie offshore wind, lawsuit says

The corruption that led to Ohio’s infamous HB 6 also torpedoed what would have been the Great Lakes’ first wind farm, the suit alleges. FirstEnergy is pushing back.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 11 December 2025
Utilities

After Ohio’s landmark decisions on HB 6 utility scandal, what’s next?

Regulators just fined FirstEnergy $250M over its bribery scheme. While historically high, the amount falls short of what consumer advocates had pushed for.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 3 December 2025
Utilities

FirstEnergy seeks looser reliability rules as outages grow more common

The firm wants regulators to let its three Ohio utilities take longer to restore power. Advocates say it’s unfair, as customers already pay to strengthen the grid.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 2 December 2025
Electrification

Hundreds of low-income Illinois families are going electric — for free

As federal incentives for home electrification disappear, an innovative state law lets utilities meet energy-efficiency mandates by getting people off gas.

By Kari Lydersen . 1 December 2025
Electric vehicles

Chicago-area mayors push ahead on EVs despite federal pullback

Trump funding cuts scrambled the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus' plans to deploy chargers, but the group is redoubling other efforts to boost EV adoption.

By Kari Lydersen . 24 November 2025
Clean aluminum

Sortera raises $45M for recycling tech as US demands low-carbon aluminum

The Indiana startup, which uses AI to extract high-value aluminum from scrap piles, just announced fresh funding and plans for a second plant in Tennessee.

By Maria Gallucci . 20 November 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump cites ‘emergency’ to keep Michigan coal plant online into winter

The Energy Department’s orders to keep the J.H. Campbell plant running are driving up costs and pollution. States and advocates are challenging the move in court.

By Jeff St. John . 19 November 2025
Solar

Wisconsin lawmakers look to break utility grip on community solar

Utilities have blocked prior attempts to let other developers build community solar in the state. Now legislators have a bill meant to address opponents’ concerns.

By Kari Lydersen . 19 November 2025
Clean energy

This Ohio county banned wind and solar. Now, residents are pushing back.

Richland County forbade large-scale renewable energy in most townships. Next May, voters will have a chance to reject the rules in a first-of-its-kind referendum.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 18 November 2025
Energy storage

Xcel doubles down on plan to swap coal for clean power in Minnesota

With demand rising and tax credits expiring, the utility wants to rapidly expand the batteries and solar it’s building near the shuttering Sherco coal plant.

By Brian Martucci . 7 November 2025