Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.
Click on the headline to read the full story:
Illinois
Illinois EPA announces grants to fund energy efficiency assessments in areas of environmental justice concern — Southerner
An Illinois program will provide $500,000 in grants to local organizations that make energy efficiency investments in environmental justice communities.
Convicted ex-utility boss wants to pause SEC civil case — Center Square
The former ComEd CEO convicted of bribery conspiracy asks a judge to delay the U.S. SEC’s civil case against her.
Governor Pritzker Launches Solar Energy Grant Program — WSIL
Illinois announces $8.5 million in funding to support community solar projects in low-income and historically disinvested communities.
Indiana
Indiana to promote state’s EV industry in trade trip to South Korea — Indianapolis Business Journal
Indiana officials leading an economic development trade trip to South Korea this week aim to attract more electric vehicle investments.
IDEM says it can’t make air pollution permits stricter. Experts say that’s only partially true — IPR
Indiana regulators say they are limited in setting more stringent air pollution requirements, though former state officials say options are available to reduce pollution in areas that fail to meet air quality standards.
10 Republican-led states file lawsuit to block SEC’s climate disclosure rule — Utility Dive
Indiana’s attorney general joins a lawsuit seeking to block the SEC’s climate disclosure rule shortly after it was finalized last week.
Michigan
The battle against Michigan power outages yields little accountability — Planet Detroit
A year after a severe ice storm left 700,000 Michigan residents without power, calls for improved reliability and accountability continue.
Gotion submits site plan to Mecosta County for EV battery factory — Bridge
A developer submits construction plans for a nearly $2.4 billion battery manufacturing plant in central Michigan.
Consumers Energy gets OK to bury power lines in 6 Michigan counties: What it means — Detroit Free Press
Michigan regulators approve a Consumers Energy pilot project that will bury about 10 miles of power lines in six counties to help improve reliability.
Michigan Public Service Commission approves $92M electrical rate increase for Consumers Energy — Michigan Advance
A $92 million rate increase that Michigan regulators approved for Consumers Energy focuses on investments to improve reliability.
Michigan has 9 months to figure out new energy law. Some say time is wasting — Bridge
Stakeholders seek guidance from Michigan regulators on how local governments can craft clean energy siting regulations ahead of a new law taking effect this year that gives the state more siting authority.
Grixdale Farms nixed for city solar initiative; questions remain for 8 remaining neighborhoods — Planet Detroit
A Detroit neighborhood is removed from consideration for a series of city-backed solar projects amid local opposition.
A $1,700 duplex from the Land Bank is now one of the most energy efficient homes in Detroit — Planet Detroit
Seven years after buying a dilapidated Detroit duplex for $1,700, a homeowner completes a $275,000 renovation into a net-zero home for low-income renters.
Michigan state senators advocate for “community solar” projects in a virtual event — WMUK
A conservative lawmaker from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula joins an Ann Arbor Democrat to sponsor community solar legislation they say would ultimately benefit ratepayers.
Tribes urge U.S. to weigh in on Line 5 case as appeal sits in court — Michigan Advance
Great Lakes tribal leaders, along with federal judges, are waiting for the Biden administration to state its position on whether the Line 5 pipeline should be shut down on tribal land in northern Wisconsin.
Minnesota
Northern Foundry closing Hibbing facility and laying off 91, partly blaming Minnesota Power utility rates — Star Tribune
A northern Minnesota foundry in part blames rising electricity prices for its decision to close and lay off 91 workers.
Ohio
Ohio utility regulators’ decision disenfranchised apartment renters, consumer advocate says — Energy News Network
Ohio’s consumer advocate wants the state Supreme Court to overturn a decision that prevented it from representing apartment residents in a case involving a submetering company.
Read More: Energy News Roundup: State senators advocate for ‘community solar’ projects,