Community solar would check several boxes in Michigan, supporters say

SOLAR: Supporters say establishing a community solar program in Michigan would help accomplish a range of climate, justice and economic development goals, though legislation still faces utility opposition. (Planet Detroit)

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WIND:

• An Iowa county considers stronger clean up requirements for wind turbines that are damaged during storms as some debris can sit for months, posing risks to landowners. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• North Dakota county officials deny a zoning permit for the second time for a proposed 94-turbine wind project, citing effects on roads, wildlife and residents. (KFYR)

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CLIMATE: After arriving at an Iowa news station full of optimism, a meteorologist’s climate-focused reports soon met backlash and threats that led him to quit after two years. (New York Times)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Detroit’s three automakers should focus on selling gas-powered trucks to fund research and development that could bring down the cost of electric vehicles, a banking analyst says. (Detroit News)

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RENEWABLES: An Iowa conservative clean energy group works to promote renewable energy as public sentiment and NIMBYism challenge new projects. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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EMISSIONS: A national biofuels trade group joins oil companies and refineries in challenging new federal tailpipe emissions rules that could threaten both sectors. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

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UTILITIES: Michigan’s attorney general pushes back on DTE Energy’s attempt to require customers without smart meters to report their outages in order to receive bill credits, as opposed to receiving them automatically. (WDIV)

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GRID:

• A Google official says the company wants to work with utilities and communities on energy efficiency and building clean energy as it plans $2.3 billion in new data centers in central Ohio. (WBNS)
• Large Michigan utilities say they’ve front-loaded electricity supplies to prepare for demand spikes under this week’s heat wave. (CBS Detroit)
• AES Indiana says a seven-year, $1.2 billion infrastructure plan will protect the grid during extreme heat. (WRTV)

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COMMENTARY:

• Indiana and other states across the country should consider bans on utility disconnections during summer months when extreme heat can threaten public health, an editorial board writes. (Journal Gazette)
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s legacy is now tied to the FirstEnergy scandal as he is brought in closer and fails to support new laws to improve transparency in political spending, an editorial board writes. (Toledo Blade)

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