Midwest

Batteries

Illinois needs batteries. Will a new incentive program help?

New York has had success with a similar model, though Illinois’ first procurement under the new program resulted in less energy storage deals than hoped for.

By Kari Lydersen .

19 October 2026

Electric equipment boxes in fenced-in area — Battery storage units in in Patchogue, New York (John Paraskevas/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Solar

How one Chicago program is diversifying the solar workforce

Founded by a former public-housing resident, the 548 Foundation provides training, stipends, and support to build Black generational wealth through clean energy.

By Kari Lydersen . 14 October 2026
Food and farms

How a reluctant Iowa farming county undid a ban on battery storage

Three brothers wanted to use some land for solar, batteries, and cattle grazing. First they had to convince local officials — and the community — to allow batteries.

By Julian Spector . 8 October 2026
Green steel

Mesabi Metallics to build a $15B lower-carbon steel mill in Iowa

The Minnesota mining firm will forgo traditional coal-based steelmaking at the facility — a step toward cleaning up production to compete on a global market.

By Brian Martucci . 29 September 2026
Solar

Ohio’s biggest solar project finally gets permit after long legal limbo

Regulators’ approval of Oak Run Solar after a court forced them to consider more evidence is a rare clean-energy win in a state where it's tough to build renewables.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 21 September 2026
Clean energy jobs

Illinois revamps clean energy jobs training for a shifting economy

State-funded hubs will focus on skills that can transfer to other sectors, like data centers. That may help workers as Trump policies threaten to upend job markets.

By Kari Lydersen . 16 September 2026
Fossil fuels

Court rules that Trump can’t force a Michigan coal plant to keep running

A long-awaited court decision finds fault with the DOE’s use of "emergency" powers to force aging, costly, polluting power plants to run past their retirement date.

By Jeff St. John . 11 September 2026
Solar

Coal-to-solar project lands a rare clean-energy win in Ohio

The solar-plus-storage project faced no opposition despite growing pushback to clean energy in the state — likely because of its brownfield location.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 10 September 2026
Data centers

Questionable data center forecasts are driving up Ohio power bills

Critics question sky-high electricity demand predictions for Ohio, which rely on ambitious data center plans and put upward pressure on utility bills.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 9 September 2026
Nuclear

Shuttered nuclear plant in Iowa gets $1.9B federal loan to restart

NextEra Energy is one of three U.S. energy companies to win backing from the Department of Energy to revive shut-down nuclear plants to meet soaring power demand.

By Maria Gallucci . 8 September 2026
Transmission

This novel power line could link 3 grids across 3 time zones

North Plains Connector has earned backing from the Energy Department and utilities, and could deliver huge cost and reliability benefits — if states give it the OK.

By Jeff St. John . 3 September 2026