Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.
In this edition: A settlement could help expand Michigan solar power, Chicago suburbs look to jump on the solar energy train, and a town in northern Ohio struggles to get a wind farm approved.
Recently proposed settlement could spark surge of commercial solar power in Michigan – Crain’s Detroit Business
The Michigan Public Services Commission is considering the approval of a settlement between Consumers Energy and 20 other power utility companies. The settlement would help free up a backlog of interconnection applications between Consumers and solar development companies, producing up to 600 megawatts of energy, beginning as early as spring 2020. But biomass and hydroelectric operators aren’t happy.
Enbridge considering pipe reroute after lawsuit from Wisconsin Native American tribe – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians filed a federal lawsuit over Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline that crosses 12 miles of the nation’s reservation, east of Ashland, Wisconsin. The Bad River Band’s tribal officials have stated they no longer want Enbridge to operate the pipeline portions that run through reservation lands over concerns of potential spills.
Wind turbine project in northern Ohio faces opposition from local governments – Sandusky Register
A plan to construct 71 wind turbines in Erie and Huron county, located in Ohio’s north along the coast of Lake Erie, awaits approval from the Ohio Power Siting Board based in Columbus. While waiting for a forthcoming decision, the Emerson Creek Wind Project run by Virginia-based Apex Clean Energy has already been hit with disapproving resolutions passed by Groton and Norwich townships’ trustees.
Chicago suburbs to incorporate solar energy into their grid – The Chicago Tribune
Trustees from Deerfield and six other suburbs north of Chicago have passed a resolution that would add solar energy from an Elgin-based company, saving Deerfield up to $9,000 annually on electricity costs. The new proposal would allow the suburbs to receive credits on their electric bills for using solar power.
Featured Image: Offshore wind farm, Photo by Kim Hansen via wikimedia cc 3.0
