Electrification is key to Minnesota climate goals, report finds

EMISSIONS: Mass electrification would be the best way to reduce buildings’ emissions and hit Minnesota’s climate targets, according to a new report from a coalition of energy experts, community service groups and consumer advocates. (Sahan Journal)

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STORAGE: DTE Energy is set to announce plans for a large battery storage facility at a former southeastern Michigan coal plant. (Detroit Free Press)

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GRID: An Indiana consumer advocate warns against getting swept up by hyperbole about the need to build new power plants as electricity demand in the state is expected to grow because of data centers. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• St. Paul, Minnesota’s chief resilience officer says district energy, geothermal and electric vehicles will be key pieces of the city’s climate action plan. (Pioneer Press)
• A small rural Kansas town created a more resilient community after a devastating tornado by rebuilding with renewable energy, efficiency and sustainable building design. (Yale Climate Connections)

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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: An Iowa county deploys more neighborhood air quality monitors that local officials say can be targeted to areas of concern and help meet environmental justice goals. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: About 5,800 Minnesota residents have applied for $2,500 rebates for electric vehicles under a state program that launched four months ago. (MPR News)

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EFFICIENCY: Indiana officials seek public input on how to design programs that allocate $182 million in federal funding for residential energy efficiency projects. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

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SOLAR:

• Escalating costs have paused floating solar projects in two Michigan communities, though local officials say the installations could still be beneficial. (Michigan Public)
• High maintenance costs and a lower than expected return on investment leads a Wisconsin library to remove rooftop solar panels that were installed seven years ago by a company that went out of business. (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

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PIPELINES: A company says its 10-foot-long drone provides a safer and cheaper alternative to oil and gas pipeline inspections in North Dakota. (KFYR)

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COMMENTARY:

• The next federal Farm Bill should maintain a crucial program that provides funding for rural landowners and businesses to install clean energy projects, a Wisconsin business owner writes. (Capital Times)
• A Michigan Democratic state representative says the state’s new renewable energy siting law will help create major windfalls for rural communities. (Bridge)

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