Good morning! Opponents of utility-scale solar in rural Ohio may have you believe that the industry is widely rejected there, though a developer is finding out that’s not necessarily the case. Also, Enbridge’s years-long effort to build an underground tunnel for Line 5 in the Great Lakes may be getting a boost from the Trump administration.
TODAY'S TOP NEWS
SOLAR
A developer finds that 80% of public comments support its plan for a large solar project in central Ohio, countering narratives from opponents that rural residents are broadly against the development. (Canary Media)
One Ohio nonprofit has been recruiting residents to file comments with state regulators opposing a proposed 500 MW solar project in western Ohio. (Checks & Balances Project)
PIPELINES
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers considers giving a proposed tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac “emergency” status to streamline its approval, raising alarms among environmental groups long opposed to the project. (Bridge)
GRID
American Electric Power expects 8.6% retail load growth annually over the next three years from data centers and industrial facilities, which the utility says would require an additional $10 billion in transmission and generation investments on top of its $54 billion capital plan. (Utility Dive)
Iowa lawmakers advance legislation backed by Gov. Kim Reynolds that, among other provisions, would give utilities first rights to build transmission lines. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
OIL & GAS
President Trump’s ambitions to unleash U.S. energy dominance through domestic oil and gas drilling may be hindered by the fact that production from major U.S. shale plays, including in North Dakota, is flat or declining. (E&E News)
UTILITIES
Ohio’s consumer advocate gives mixed reviews to a legislative proposal to speed up generation projects to meet anticipated demand growth, praising efforts to give more refunds to ratepayers while raising concerns about a consumer choice billing program. (Ohio Capital Journal)
MidAmerican Energy seeks approval from Iowa regulators for a multi-site solar project totaling 800 MW as well as two gas plants totaling $650 million and 465 MW of capacity. (Radio Iowa)
Four defendants convicted of conspiracy to bribe Illinois’ former House speaker for the benefit of ComEd argue that their case should be put on hold following a recent executive order from President Trump pausing the enforcement of a federal law. (Chicago Sun-Times)
FOSSIL FUELS
Duke Energy Indiana asks state regulators to approve a $3.3 billion plan for two new gas-fired units with upgraded transmission lines at an existing gas plant, which would coincide with the retirement of a large coal plant. (Inside Indiana Business)
We Energies plans to invest $1.2 billion to convert a Wisconsin coal plant to instead have 1,100 MW of gas-powered units. (WISN)
NUCLEAR
Local activists and residents living near a shuttered Michigan nuclear plant that seeks to reopen this year ask regulators and the plant owner for a more thorough environmental review. (Inside Climate News)
CLEAN ENERGY
Wisconsin clean energy advocates want the anticipated spike in power demand from data centers to be met with clean energy and raise concerns about utility plans for new gas plants. (WUWM)
COMMENTARY
A University of Minnesota professor emeritus says federal attempts to slow the clean energy transition could increase the cost of importing fossil fuels and slow the technological and economic benefits of renewable energy. (Minnesota Reformer)
ATTENTION CHICAGO: UPCOMING EVENT
On stage: Conversations with clean energy experts, including Rep. Sean Casten of the U.S. Congress, Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green, Kara Demirjian Huss of TCCI Manufacturing, A.J. Patton of 548 Enterprises, David Roberts of Volts, Angela Tovar of the city of Chicago and Lisa Clemmons Stott of the Illinois Department of Commerce.
Off stage: Drink, eat, and socialize with clean energy leaders, investors, inventors, public leaders, and advocates.
🗓️March 27, 2025, 2:00 - 7:00p.m. CDT
📍 mHUB • 1623 West Fulton Street Chicago, IL 60612
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