The economic promise of a $4 billion EV battery plant

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A $4 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant set to open early next year in Kansas has potential to spur massive economic activity and transportation infrastructure upgrades, Gov. Laura Kelly says. (Flatland)

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INDUSTRY: Finding customers willing to pay a premium for “green” steel made with clean energy remains a key hurdle as a major steelmaker considers new emission-reduction technology at its Ohio plant. (Canary Media)

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SOLAR:

• Minnesota communities grapple with regulations for community solar projects as they weigh the benefits of renewable energy subscriptions with neighborhood opposition. (Star Tribune)
• U.S. solar panel manufacturing has increased four-fold since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, due in large part to utility-scale solar growth. (Manufacturing Dive)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• Detroit-based utility DTE Energy forecasts $1.2 billion in savings would be passed on to customers through 2045 by complying with the state’s new clean energy laws, countering opponents’ claims that policy would hike customer bills. (MLive, subscription)
• Six Minnesota cities and counties each receive approximately $1 million in state clean energy grant funding to help with transition planning as legacy power plants close. (Finance & Commerce)

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PIPELINES: Indigenous pipeline protestors say praises of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s clean energy record ignore his position that allowed for the Line 3 pipeline expansion. (Mother Jones)

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COAL: Converting a Michigan coal plant site to include solar as well as public beaches is part of a Chicago-based environmental group’s broader strategy to repurpose retiring coal plants across the Great Lakes region. (Bridge)

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NUCLEAR: Federal regulators say a shuttered Michigan nuclear plant will need more inspections, testing and repairs to its steam generator before the plant can reopen. (WOOD-TV8)

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CLIMATE: Climate action plans in southeastern Michigan include work to make community parks more resilient to storms and educating parks officials on climate issues. (Model D)

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GRID: Construction is completed on a Nebraska manufacturer’s behind-the-meter microgrid powered by solar and storage, the first of its kind in the state. (Solar Power World)

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BIOGAS: A new plant in Nebraska will collect biogas from wastewater streams at a major food producer’s facilities to be converted into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. (News Channel Nebraska)

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COMMENTARY: Michigan officials can maximize the benefits of $156 million in federal Solar for All funding by considering energy justice, focusing on community solar and including weatherization support for rooftop projects, a clean energy advocate writes. (Union of Concerned Scientists)

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