Ohio group raises familiar concerns with data center growth

GRID: An Ohio progressive watchdog group raises concerns about the proliferation of data centers in the state, including their potential to spike energy demand and prolong the use of fossil fuels. (Ohio Capital Journal)

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ALSO: Utilities, renewable energy companies and ratepayer advocates say PJM’s proposal to require renewable and storage projects in the interconnection queue to participate in capacity market auctions was developed with inadequate input. (Utility Dive)

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PIPELINES:

• About 50 anti-pipeline activists occupy the offices of a Wisconsin agency that approved a permit to build a 41-mile reroute of the Line 5 pipeline around tribal land, leading to one arrest. (Wisconsin Examiner)
• A South Dakota Republican introduces legislation to ban the use of eminent domain for carbon pipelines as hundreds of pipeline opponents rally at the state capital. (South Dakota Searchlight)

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COAL: North Dakota officials threaten to sue the U.S. EPA for withholding action on the state’s application to regulate its own coal waste as a dispute continues over a waste management plan at the state’s largest coal plant. (Bismarck Tribune, subscription)

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CLIMATE: Des Moines, Iowa, residents criticize city leaders’ decision to lay off the staff of the city’s sustainability office to help close a budget deficit, calling the move shortsighted. (KCCI)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The Michigan State Police deploys its first all-electric vehicle that will be used for providing security at state-owned buildings around the state capital. (WOOD-TV8)

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OVERSIGHT: U.S. Senate lawmakers delay the interior secretary confirmation hearing of former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for two days to give a government ethics office more time to review the nomination. (States Newsroom)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• The USDA announces more than $14 million for solar and energy efficiency projects at businesses across rural Wisconsin. (WLUK)
• Minnesota is among states to recently expand the availability of property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for commercial properties, helping to offset the costs of clean energy upgrades. (Facilities Dive)

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EFFICIENCY: Ameren Missouri starts offering $75 million in rebates and incentives for new customer energy efficiency and demand response programs. (Daily Energy Insider)

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