Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Indiana now defines natural gas and propane as clean energy under a law signed by Gov. Mike Braun last week. The new designation, which was broadly supported by the oil and gas industry and opposed by environmental groups, lets natural gas and propane compete for federal money meant for energy sources like solar and wind. It comes two years after Ohio redefined natural gas as “green energy” with a bill that also required regulators to lease state lands for oil and gas production.
With coal’s comparatively high generation costs and significant climate impacts continuing to drive early coal plant retirements, Braun also ordered regulators last week to consider extending the life of every coal plant in the state. The order says roughly 5.7 gigawatts of coal generation capacity was retired in Indiana between 2012 and 2024, with more than 9 gigawatts of additional coal capacity expected to retire by 2038. It attributes rising electricity demand in the state due to AI, manufacturing and electrification and calls meeting federal regulations a “financial burden.”
Ohio is dropping in rank as a solar power producer amid mounting opposition to solar and increased restrictions on its development. The state dropped from fifth nationwide in total solar capacity in 2023 to 13th in 2024, according to a report from the Solar Energy Industries Association. Though Ohio saw a big jump in solar power generation from 2023 to 2024, its growth was outpaced by other states, federal data shows. Solar advocates pointed to impediments to the industry like the 2021 Ohio law letting local governments block large solar and wind projects.
A secretive EV startup in Michigan is reportedly funded by Jeff Bezos and working toward selling a two-seat electric pickup truck for around $25,000. The company, Slate Auto, is headquartered in Troy, near Detroit. Unlike the many other EV startups that have initially targeted high-end buyers, this one aims to market the pickup as a buyer’s first car and have personalization and upgrades available to owners later on, TechCrunch reported. It could start production as soon as next year.
Most of the lights have come back on following a historic ice storm that caused widespread outages in northern Michigan last month. Now, with climate change expected to cause more frequent ice storms in the region, utilities are trying to figure out how to adapt. In the near term, that will likely mean improving forecasting and the immediate response to extreme weather. But further out, preparing for events like ice storms will require upgrades like burying power lines, which can be expensive and can result in higher rates for consumers.
More energy news, in case you missed it:
- President Donald Trump signed executive orders last week intended to keep the coal power industry alive, including by using his emergency authority to prevent plants from closing and exempting some from federal air quality regulations.
- Groups opposing the restart of the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan were denied a hearing by federal regulators, who said they were not persuaded by the arguments.
- The fight over state permits for the reroute of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline could reach the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which will have a liberal majority until at least 2028.
- Canada-based company Heilene, which makes solar modules in Minnesota, wants to renegotiate supply contracts as tariffs increase the cost of components.
- A Wisconsin electric utility is eyeing a significant expansion of its natural gas generation capacity in anticipation of demand from data centers.
Catch more news at Great Lakes Now:
Musk fails to flip top Wisconsin court amid Tesla lawsuit over dealerships
Michigan EV industry on a knife-edge as energy project delays mount across region
Featured image: Smokestack. (Photo Credit: iStock)
