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
- Chicago company brings climate-friendly development to communities that need it most — Energy News Network
A project that combines energy efficiency, solar power and electrification is part of developer A.J. Patton’s mission to invest in under-resourced neighborhoods.
- Illinois prepares to reboot low-income solar program to improve access for all — Energy News Network
Illinois Solar for All is getting a boost from new state funding and rules that will empower community groups to do more outreach and education, which advocates hope will help identify more potential participants.
Indiana
- Lone Oak takes solar farm dispute to state commission — Tribune-Star
A developer appeals to Indiana energy regulators to allow a proposed 120 MW solar project to move forward.
Michigan
- Mid-Michigan energy storage company raising $50M to boost production as renewables come online — MiBiz
A Michigan battery storage manufacturer is raising $50 million in capital to build a production facility in Clare, MI. to scale up production of its lead-acid battery technology, which executives say will be crucial to accompany growing amounts of renewable energy generation on the grid.
- Upgrading the grid — Greenville Daily News
A transmission operator is studying the potential for the construction of a major transmission line through Montcalm and Ionia counties in central Michigan.
Detroit utility DTE Energy launches a new time-of-use rate to help customers reduce power use during peak demand periods. Times are centered on the hours of 3pm to 7pm.
Michigan regulators search for an outside consulting firm to determine the feasibility of new nuclear power generation.
Minnesota
- Minnesota couple’s idea aims to keep solar panels free of snow buildup — Energy News Network
A Minnesota couple is developing a potential solution for snow-covered solar panels: incorporating a heating material that would detect and respond to melt accumulated flakes.
- Gov. showcases first fire truck — Star Tribune
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz attends an unveiling and demonstration of the first electric fire truck manufactured in the state.
A Midwest clean energy advocate says Minnesota regulators should closely scrutinize Xcel Energy’s latest rate increase and urge the utility to invest in renewables.
Ohio
- Cleveland pilot project provides rooftop solar for low-income residents — Energy News Network
A rooftop solar project in Cleveland will collect data to document savings which could help the project to receive more funding for solar energy in neighborhoods that have historically been left behind.
- Feds reveal more secret pass-throughs for FirstEnergy money in Larry Householder racketeering case — Energy and Policy Institute
Federal prosecutors release new documents showing how FirstEnergy used dark money groups to secretly pay $400,000 to benefit former House Speaker Larry Householder.
Ontario
Climate change is being felt in the way of extreme weather events, including flooding, heat waves and other natural challenges. Host Allison Devereaux is joined by Jason Thistlewaite from the University of Waterloo and the Climate Risk Research Group to learn more about what could be expected in Southwestern Ontario
Wisconsin
- As another winter storm strains the electric grid it is time to fix transmissions, experts say — Wisconsin Examiner
Learning from power outages: U.S. grid regulators are examining the fallout from a wave of extreme cold that knocked out power to more than 1.6 million U.S. customers over Christmas weekend and raised urgent questions about grid reliability.
- $150 million in federal infrastructure rebates can help Wisconsin residents ‘green’ their homes — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin receives $150 million in federal infrastructure funding that will provide grants to homeowners investing in energy efficiency upgrades.
National
- 3 ways to tap billions in new money to go green — starting this month — Washington Post
It’s easier being green in 2023. Individuals can now take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act incentives for heat pumps, rooftop solar, and electric vehicles.
Time for a rebound? Supply chain disruptions and trade restrictions stalled wind and solar deployment in 2022, but industry projections suggest federal incentives could spark a rebound this year.
- The toll extreme weather took in the U.S. during 2022, by the numbers — Washington Post
The U.S. experienced 15 weather disasters costing more than $1 billion in damage last year, as of mid-December, more than doubling the country’s average in the decades before 2017.
- After a Decade, Federal Officials Tighten Guidelines on Air Pollution — Inside Climate News
Following years of appeals from environmental activists, the EPA has proposed new standards for harmful particles known as PM 2.5. Some advocates say the changes don’t go far enough.
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1 Comment
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Great post! It’s inspiring to see the effort being made to ensure low-income communities have access to renewable energy. It’s great to see how much progress has been made in recent years in making clean energy more accessible and affordable. Keep up the good work!
