Biodigester push raises water quality concerns

NOTE TO READERS: This newsletter has been updated to correct the numbers for MidAmerican Energy’s resource plan.

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BIOENERGY: As livestock producers tap federal climate funds to build biodigesters, advocates point to the threat that expanding feedlot operations pose to water quality, and call on the EPA to use its emergency authority to address nitrate pollution. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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UTILITIES:

• Iowa’s largest utility plans to close all of its coal plants by 2049 and add 2,450 3,050 MW of new solar and 2,100 3,495 MW of new natural gas generation over the next 20 years, according to a filing with state regulators. (Des Moines Register, subscription)
• Citing concern over recent rate increases, four Iowa business groups call for a study on ratemaking reform. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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NUCLEAR: The CEO of Wisconsin’s Dairyland Power Cooperative says the utility is “absolutely interested” in returning to nuclear power, suggesting smaller nuclear plants could be viable in the next 5-6 years. (Wisconsin State Journal)

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GRID:

• On a recent earnings call, utility AES Ohio says it has signed agreements for 900 MW of new load from data centers. (Data Center Dynamics)
• While utility-scale batteries are seen as a key element in South Dakota’s clean energy transition, the state currently has no regulations governing construction or siting of the facilities. (South Dakota New Watch)

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PIPELINES: A fossil-fuel backed organization has been mailing “weird” newspapers to North Dakota households criticizing years-old pipeline protests ahead of upcoming hearings for developer Energy Transfer’s lawsuit against Greenpeace. (Floodlight / North Dakota News Cooperative)

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EQUITY:

• An analysis finds the Midwest is lagging other regions in attracting clean energy manufacturers to disadvantaged communities. (Inside Climate News)
• Ohio renters say they’re being gouged by “submetering” companies that contract with landlords to manage utility billing. (Cleveland.com)

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NATURAL GAS: A Missouri utility says it is waiting for guidance from regulators on how to design its recently approved $900 million natural gas plant to operate in extreme cold. (KSDK)

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WIND: An Iowa community college will decommission its 2.5 MW wind turbine due to age and maintenance needs, a year after the school closed its energy production program. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Officials from Illinois cities with electric vehicle plants worry about how the outcome of the presidential election could impact their communities. (Crain’s Chicago Business, subscription)
• Illinois utility ComEd expands its fleet electric vehicle incentive program to include used vehicles. (Auto Remarketing)

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MATERIALS: The U.S. EPA has increased air monitoring around a Missouri battery recycling facility that caught fire last week, and says pollution has not exceeded harmful levels since the initial blaze. (Missouri Independent)

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FINANCE: Michigan launches a new business accelerator to help lenders access federal climate funds. (Crain’s Detroit Business, subscription)

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