Study highlights Indiana industrial sites for solar

SOLAR: A conservation group’s new report identifies roughly 300,000 acres of polluted brownfield properties and former coal mining sites in Indiana that could host solar projects. (WFYI)

‍

ALSO: Scientists at Iowa State University and elsewhere look for ways to blend solar power and agricultural production, such as at a project outside Lawrence, Kansas, where developers plan to incorporate sheep grazing. (Harvest Public Media)

‍

OHIO:

• Imprisoned former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder pleads not guilty to 10 new felony charges brought by the state stemming from his role in a bribery scheme. (Associated Press)
• A coalition of environmental and consumer advocates calls on Ohio’s attorney general to revoke FirstEnergy’s business license after executives admitted to bribing state officials to support favorable policies. (Statehouse News Bureau)

‍

GEOTHERMAL: A Minnesota school district is reducing its energy use with a geothermal system even after installing air conditioning for the first time. (Sahan Journal)

‍

OIL & GAS: An Ohio nonprofit oil and gas watchdog group says the industry is increasing water withdrawals and waste production during hydraulic fracturing, becoming less efficient as well production declines. (Times Leader)

‍

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Despite criticizing the Biden administration’s EV policies, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum votes to approve $375,000 in state funding for a charging infrastructure study. (North Dakota Monitor)
• Biden administration officials are at odds with some energy policy experts who say new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles will come at the expense of decarbonizing the U.S. economy. (New Yorker)

‍

EMISSIONS: Michigan agriculture regulators will monitor ozone levels in eight counties to help avoid elevated smog levels during the summer. (Bridge)

‍

CLEAN ENERGY: Former Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes forms a new organization to help connect residents and businesses with clean energy funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act. (UpNorthNews)

‍

COMMENTARY:

• A Michigan nun says people have a moral duty to advocate for transitioning away from fossil fuels. (Bridge)
• Ohio has an opportunity to cut residents’ electricity bills with incentives for utilities that create voluntary energy efficiency programs, a Democratic state representative writes. (Beacon Journal)

‍