Illinois’ clean energy transition faces setbacks from delays, data centers

FOSSIL FUELS: Interconnection delays for renewable energy and rising demand from data centers are prolonging Illinois’ clean energy transition and extending the life of coal and gas plants. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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‍ALSO: Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum is confirmed as the Trump administration’s Interior Secretary, a role that Republican supporters say can help advance oil, gas and coal production on federal land. (North Dakota Monitor)

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‍EMISSIONS: Minnesota’s greenhouse gas emissions increased 6.4% from the end of 2020 to the end of 2022, signaling a return to activity coming out of the pandemic but that state officials say doesn’t reflect recent climate investments. (Star Tribune)

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‍ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Panasonic officials are optimistic that the company’s new $4 billion electric vehicle battery plant outside Kansas City will be able to ramp up to full production even as the Trump administration targets EV incentives. (Flatland)

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‍CARBON CAPTURE: Opponents of North Dakota legislation to ban eminent domain for carbon pipelines cite a recent study claiming enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide could generate billions in new tax revenue. (North Dakota Monitor)

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‍CLEAN ENERGY:

• A University of Kansas atlas tracking wind energy regulations across all of the state’s 105 counties will soon be expanded to include solar regulations. (KCUR)
• Conflicting federal budget guidance over recent days has caused widespread confusion among clean energy developers about whether federal grants and loans will ultimately be in jeopardy. (Utility Dive)

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CLIMATE: A Nebraska lawmaker wants to join 26 other states in creating a dedicated climate office that could help leverage federal funds for climate initiatives. (Nebraska Examiner)

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‍NUCLEAR: The owner of a shuttered southwestern Michigan nuclear plant that secured a $1.5 billion loan from the Biden administration to restart the facility is not concerned about the Trump administration attempting to claw back the financing. (Grist/​Interlochen Public Radio)

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‍OVERSIGHT: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appoints an energy efficiency expert focused on the gas industry to an open seat on the state’s Public Utilities Commission. (Star Tribune)

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‍SOLAR: A developer brings online two solar projects totaling 95 MW of capacity in southern Minnesota. (Solar Power World)

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‍GRID:

• The University of Missouri launches a new research initiative focusing on the economic and social impacts of new generation and grid infrastructure development in rural areas. (Missouri Independent)
• An agreement reached over a two-year price cap on PJM capacity auctions could save ratepayers in 13 states tens of billions of dollars while giving states more time to make generation investments. (Inside Climate News)

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BIOFUELS: A company cites the oversaturated ethanol market as a main reason for temporarily closing a Minnesota biofuel plant. (Star Tribune)

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