Chicago aims to clamp down on shoddy lithium-ion products

BATTERIES: Chicago officials advance regulations that would create fines for distributing lithium-ion-powered devices that fail to meet safety standards as fire risks grow with the rise of electric bikes, scooters and vehicles. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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COAL: Critics question Alliant Energy’s commitment to clean energy after the utility delayed for three years plans to convert a Wisconsin coal plant to run on gas, citing grid reliability concerns. (Sheboygan Press)

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CLEAN ENERGY: Former U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy says northeastern Ohio cities are providing a model for collaborative, regional planning around clean energy and job training. (WYSO)

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CARBON CAPTURE:

• A western Michigan coal plant is slated to temporarily close next year to be retrofitted to run on woody biomass with onsite carbon capture. (Crain’s Grand Rapids, subscription)
• A company may have to wait years to build a proposed carbon pipeline and two storage wells in Illinois if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs new safety regulations into law as expected. (Ford County Chronicle)

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GRID: Time-of-use rates are now in effect for Michigan’s two largest utilities, which state regulators say are meant to curb electricity use during high-demand months. (Bridge)

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WIND:

• A new $10 million Iowa facility recycles decommissioned wind turbine blades into byproducts that can be used to strengthen construction materials. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• As agriculture markets become more volatile because of climate change, wind turbines are helping Iowa farmers generate steady revenue. (CBS)

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SOLAR:

• Ameren Missouri plans to build a new 7 MW community solar project adjacent to an existing installation to meet customer demand. (Solar Industry)
• A Kansas solar installer says a recent state law increasing a cap on the size of net-metered installations makes financial sense for homeowners and businesses. (WIBW)
• A Nebraska utility starts construction on a solar expansion that would make the project 9.9 MW and the second-largest in the state. (KGFW)

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BIOGAS: Springfield, Missouri, plans a $31.6 million project that would convert landfill gas into renewable natural gas and generate revenue to pay off the debt service associated with the project. (Daily Citizen)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: U.S. senators tell a senior transportation official that the pace of electric vehicle charging infrastructure construction is too slow years after the bipartisan infrastructure law took effect. (E&E News, subscription)

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