Midwest

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
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