Indiana highway aims to change how we think about EVs

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Indiana officials say a pilot highway construction project that charges electric vehicles as they drive has the potential to spur greater adoption and change how the public thinks about EVs. (Inside Climate News)

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ALSO: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, seeks federal funding to replace five diesel buses in its transportation fleet with hybrid diesel-electric models. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

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OHIO: Lt. Gov. Jon Husted refuses to say whether he knew about a $1 million contribution in 2017 from FirstEnergy to a political group that supported his campaign for governor. (Ohio Capital Journal)

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UTILITIES: Proposed legislation in Illinois would subject municipal power agencies to more state oversight and require integrated resource planning as companies face growing scrutiny over large coal portfolios. (Daily Herald)

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SOLAR:

• Long-term funding and renewable energy standards in Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act has led to steady growth in the state’s solar industry, advocates say. (Daily Herald)
• A 26-acre Wisconsin solar project financed by a cooperative of organizations is set to start construction this summer. (WEAU)

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POLITICS:

• A group organizing a ballot initiative to repeal a new Michigan law giving state regulators more authority over renewable energy siting is accused of campaign finance violations. (Michigan Public)
• Illinois regulators’ move to pause a major gas-pipe replacement program in Chicago marks the latest rift between Democrats and labor unions over the transition from fossil fuels. (E&E News, subscription)

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GRID:

• A Wisconsin utility sees improved reliability from burying power lines and is looking for other parts of the state where the technology makes sense. (WSAW)
• American Electric Power plans to install two 13-mile transmission lines in central Ohio to meet anticipated load growth driven by new large energy users. (WBNS)

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PIPELINES: Four Great Lakes tribes urge a Michigan appeals court to overturn state regulators’ approval of a permit allowing Enbridge to build an underwater tunnel in the Straits of Mackinac to house Line 5. (E&E News, subscription)

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COAL: Michigan regulators block a utility from recovering more than $1 million in excess charges from unprofitable coal plants owned by the Ohio Valley Electric Corp., in contrast to Ohio regulators’ approach. (Checks & Balances Project)

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NUCLEAR: The lengthy outage of a Minnesota nuclear plant late last year occurred after Xcel Energy workers drilled through cables that interrupted power to equipment, the utility disclosed to federal regulators. (Star Tribune)

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COMMENTARY: A Wisconsin conservative group says recent polling indicates strong support for clean energy among young rural voters, a key demographic that will be crucial for future GOP success in elections. (Journal Sentinel)

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