China could make Michigan an EV underdog

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: China’s plans to scale up production and dominate the electric vehicle market threatens Michigan’s marquee industry and poses an economic and national security threat to the U.S., experts say. (Bridge)

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ALSO:

• Unless charging station costs come down, $110 million in federal EV funding will only get Michigan about 8% toward its goal of having roughly 10,000 publicly available fast chargers by 2030. (Bridge)
• Much of the U.S. electric vehicle inventory is being shipped to the same few places along the coasts and busy auto markets, leaving buyers in other regions with fewer options. (Bloomberg, subscription)

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SOLAR: At least 27 Ohio counties have passed resolutions to block utility-scale solar projects as part of a state law that the state chamber of commerce says has “chased away investment in this state.” (WCMH)

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PIPELINES:

• Several groups in Iowa contend that a federal judge erred in ruling that federal regulations supersede local and state carbon pipeline setback restrictions. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• A North Dakota landowner and housing developer says plans for a carbon pipeline through his property would sink property values and cost local governments hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue. (North Dakota Monitor)

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GRID: Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin are among 21 states to join a Biden administration initiative that will provide financial and technical assistance to expand grid capacity and modernize existing transmission and distribution lines. (States Newsroom)

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CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says $367 million in federal clean energy funding will help 28,000 low-income households with energy efficiency and solar upgrades. (Michigan Advance)

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OIL & GAS: The National Transportation Safety Board is now investigating a deadly natural gas explosion that killed one person and injured seven others in downtown Youngstown, Ohio. (ABC News)

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COAL: Alliant Energy plans to convert a coal plant in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to run on natural gas in 2028. (WPR)

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NUCLEAR: An Ohio nuclear plant closed for two days late last week so inspectors could find and repair a coolant leak before bringing the plant back online. (Cleveland.com)

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COMMENTARY:

• Clean energy advocates say plans by Michigan’s largest municipal utility to build a 110 MW natural gas plant run contrary to the state’s new clean energy goals. (Detroit News, subscription)
• A solar project planned at the Iowa City airport will spur the development of community solar projects in challenged neighborhoods, an Iowa health care executive writes. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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