Study identifies Indiana coal sites suitable for nuclear

NUCLEAR: Eight current or former coal plant sites in Indiana could potentially host small modular nuclear reactors and help the state meet its growing energy demand, according to a new Purdue University study. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

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PIPELINES: Minnesota regulators rescind a permit to rebuild a petroleum pipeline near a culturally significant site to tribes and will require the company to conduct an archeology study after pushback from several tribal nations. (Sahan Journal)

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CLIMATE: A U.S. Senate committee is expected to next week consider Trump’s interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum, who championed carbon capture and storage while governor of North Dakota. (Washington Post)

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SOLAR:

• Michigan environmental groups accuse GOP lawmakers of hypocrisy for criticizing a plan to lease state forest land for a large solar project, noting that they haven’t raised similar concerns about fossil fuel leases. (Bridge)
• A developer submits plans to an Illinois county for a behind-the-meter 4 MW solar and storage project that would power a “boutique data center.” (Data Center Dynamics)

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EMISSIONS: Coal and natural gas plants represent more than two-thirds of the facilities that release the most greenhouse gases across several Midwest states, according to an analysis of federal data. (WFYI)

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UTILITIES:

• Nearly three-quarters of offers from alternative energy suppliers to Ohio ratepayers are more expensive than the default utility under the state’s deregulated electricity market, an Ohio State University study found. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• Ratepayer advocates vow to fight a northern Illinois gas supplier’s $309 million rate increase request that the company says is needed to upgrade infrastructure and reliability. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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BATTERIES: Western Michigan county officials pass a resolution withdrawing support for a large proposed battery manufacturing plant, citing public opposition to the plan. (WOOD-TV8)

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POLITICS: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan takes the stand during his federal corruption trial, insisting he never traded his public office for private gain, including for former associates who allegedly got jobs at ComEd in exchange for favorable legislation. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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WIND: President-elect Trump promises that “no new windmills” will be built in the U.S. once he takes office, despite the industry’s growth in GOP-leaning states like Iowa and his inability to control private-sector investments. (New York Times)

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EFFICIENCY: Wisconsin starts rolling out programs for homeowners to secure energy efficiency rebates through the Inflation Reduction Act. (WCCO)

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COMMENTARY:

• Kansas City school officials should take stock of buildings’ energy efficiency, air filtration and cooling systems to better prepare for extreme weather, writes the head of an architecture firm. (Kansas City Star)
• Grid operator MISO is poised to be a leader in transmission buildout across its Midwest territory, which has the potential to spur “serious economic growth,” a former state regulator says. (Utility Dive)

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