$4.9 billion loan floated for Midwest transmission line

GRID: The Biden administration announces a $4.9 billion loan guarantee to help finance the first phase of the 578-mile Grain Belt Express transmission line, which aims to move solar and wind energy from Kansas to Missouri and beyond. (E&E News)

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ALSO: An Indiana utility, regulators, and other stakeholders reach a settlement that would require large new load customers like data centers to make long-term commitments to pay for the costs to serve them to avoid costs shifting to consumers, a “landmark” deal supported by ratepayer advocates. (Utility Dive; Indiana Capital Chronicle)

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SOLAR:

• Kansas City officials plan to soon enter into a pre-development agreement with Evergy for a 2,000-acre solar project at Kansas City International Airport. (KSHB)
• The University of Illinois Extension is leading a research project into agrivoltaics that will examine the potential for pollinating plants and grazing at large solar projects. (Center Square)

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STORAGE: A new 100 MW battery storage project brings Michigan utility Consumers Energy’s total storage portfolio to 400 MW, or about 5% of peak electricity demand. (Michigan Public)

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NUCLEAR: The timeline for reopening a shuttered nuclear plant in Michigan next year could be delayed after inspectors found more defects than anticipated in the plant’s steam generator system. (Detroit News, subscription)

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PIPELINES: While President-elect Trump reportedly wants to revive the Keystone XL pipeline, the former project developer no longer owns the pipeline system that it was intended to complement, and portions of the line previously installed have been dug up and would require new local permits. (Politico)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• The incoming Trump administration’s anticipated move to eliminate federal tax credits for electric vehicles are unlikely to stop major automakers’ transition to EVs, which have already seen billions of dollars in investments. (Associated Press)
• Ohio has doubled the number of electric vehicle fast-charging stations available along interstates in the past year, with more in the pipeline. (WDTN)

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FOSSIL FUELS: The Biden administration proposes tighter nitrogen oxide emission limits for new natural gas plants, though the regulation’s fate is unclear with the incoming Trump administration. (Utility Dive)

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TRANSPORTATION: Climate group Sunrise Movement organizes members in Kansas City to make demands for more reliable and cleaner public transportation. (The Pitch)

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LAW: A Missouri attorney pleads guilty to tax evasion after his involvement in local planning decisions to convert a former golf course to a solar project and to demolish a local power plant. (Missouri Independent)

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