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As Ohio clamps down on clean energy, recent changes make it easier to force landowners to allow oil and gas drilling
Ohio has seen a big jump in the number of agency orders forcing property owners to allow oil and gas development on their land, whether they want it or not. The number of so-called “unitization” orders issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has surged in recent years, peaking at 112 in 2022 and continuing at nearly 100 last year, according to data obtained from the agency by the Energy News Network.
Climate resilience project aims to reimagine neglected, flood-prone Norfolk neighborhood
NORFOLK, Va. — Rainstorms at Tidewater Gardens public housing complex were anxiety-inducing enough. That dread among parents was only amplified when the skies opened up on schooldays. Fast-pooling water would convert the low-lying community along the Elizabeth River floodplain into a soupy mess that trapped cars and made flippers...
Wisconsin ratepayers, still paying off the coal plants of the past, asked for $2 billion for the gas plants of the future
WEC Energy Group in southeastern Wisconsin is planning to significantly expand its capacity for natural gas electricity generation, even as it has vowed to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. In recent filings by its subsidiary WEPCO (also known as We Energies), the company has asked state utility regulators for...
Massachusetts legislation seeks to build on state order to phase out natural gas
Climate activists and legislators in Massachusetts are pushing a series of bills aimed at stopping further expansions of the natural gas system in the state. The proposed legislation attempts to build on a groundbreaking order late last year that set the explicit policy goal of transitioning the state from natural gas. The bills include measures to prohibit the construction of more pipelines, stop expansion of service into new cities and towns, and encourage the growth of utility-scale networked geothermal projects.
Virginia law expands shared solar into coal country, but key details still have to be worked out
After languishing since 2022, a revamped measure to launch a shared solar program in southwest Virginia found daylight this year. The General Assembly gave the go-ahead to a pair of measures (SB 255, HB 108) directing utility regulators to set up Appalachian Power’s inaugural 50 megawatt program by Jan. 1.
What a popular gardening podcast can teach us about equity in the climate movement
As a mother and former truck driver, Ticole Smith, better known as Colah B Tawkin, has experienced both being unhoused and receiving international recognition through her popular podcast Black in the Garden. From her home base in Atlanta and through her collaboration with Atlanta public radio station WABE, Atlanta Botanical...
Ohio seeks $189 million in EPA funds to electrify state fleets, retrofit public buildings
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s administration is seeking $189 million in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding to help implement the state’s first climate action plan. The proposal, submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late March, would establish a statewide fund to help electrify government fleets, retrofit public buildings, and install solar generation on city, county and state properties.
As Massachusetts pioneers a new way to pay for grid upgrades, some solar projects are left waiting
More than 100 megawatts of planned solar projects throughout southeastern Massachusetts are facing lengthy delays as needed grid upgrades wait for state approval. Arrays at Cape Cod schools, installations on an affordable housing complex on Martha’s Vineyard, and residential solar arrays for low-income homeowners are among the planned renewable energy developments that have been held up or reconfigured as regulators consider utility requests to upgrade substations and spread out the cost among customers. Until these improvements are approved and executed, no solar developments larger than 15 kilowatts for single-phase systems or 25 kilowatts for triple-phase systems can be connected to the grid in many of the covered areas.
New England utilities plan ‘transformational’ data platform to make it easier to calculate energy savings
A group of New England utilities plans to seek federal funding for a regional energy data platform that would make it easier for consumers and contractors to estimate potential savings from efficiency upgrades or new electric technologies. Clean energy advocates see this kind of service as key to supporting the...
Virginia lawmakers reached a compromise on energy efficiency – here’s what it will mean for utilities and regulators
Virginia energy efficiency advocates anticipate a new state law will broaden and deepen energy-saving programs the state’s two largest utilities offer to customers. The Savings Achieved Via Efficiency (SAVE) Act (SB 565/HB 746) officially became a law on April 17 during a one-day reconvened session in Richmond to consider bills the governor had amended or vetoed after the General Assembly wrapped up business in early March.
New EPA rules close a ‘huge loophole’ on coal ash, forcing wide-scale cleanup, advocates say
Environmental advocates say new rules announced Thursday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency should close a loophole that has helped power plant operators skirt responsibility for toxic coal ash pollution at scores of sites nationwide. Two rules — part of a suite of new regulations on fossil fuel power plants...
Illinois rural electric co-op customers seek clarity, consistency from ‘Solar Bill of Rights’
Editor’s note: The following story has been updated to include responses from the Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative that were inadvertently overlooked prior to original publication. An Illinois bill that started as a protection for solar-powered doorbells has developed into comprehensive proposed legislation to break down the barriers confronting rural...
To lower emissions, a Minnesota startup wants to convert diesel engines to burn ammonia
A Minnesota company is among a growing number of startups nationwide hoping to help customers replace diesel and natural gas with ammonia in industrial applications. “It’s not as big of a leap as you might think to retool and change an engine from running diesel to ammonia,” said Aza Power co-founder and CEO Seamus Kane. The company is developing conversion kits that allow diesel engine owners to switch their energy source to ammonia and reduce their carbon emissions.
Illinois bills seek to regulate carbon dioxide pipelines and sequestration
Carbon dioxide pipeline and sequestration projects would face significant new scrutiny and regulations under proposed legislation introduced this week in Illinois. Advocates who helped draft the proposal (SB 3930, HB 5814) say it is crucial to institute standards and protections, as multiple companies seek to sequester carbon in Illinois’ Mt. Simon sandstone geology and reap lucrative federal tax credits. The legislation was formally introduced Monday.
Illinois gives $1.6 million boost to justice-focused community solar projects
Thanks to a new infusion of state funding, three projects benefiting traditionally under-resourced Black, Brown and Indigenous communities in the greater Chicago area have taken one important step closer to fruition. Last week, the Illinois Climate Bank unanimously passed a resolution to authorize loan funds of up to $1.6 million...
Dominion battery pilot to provide hands-on training at historically Black university in Virginia
At 1.5 megawatts, the battery destined for a college campus near Petersburg, Virginia, might not be the mightiest in Dominion Energy’s growing storage fleet. But don’t underestimate its power and reach. In addition to providing backup power for Virginia State University’s main sports and entertainment venue, it will...
An Illinois town still considers rooftop solar an eyesore. Homeowners hope to change that
A couple in Sugar Grove, Illinois, are hoping that a village board meeting on April 16 will mean a victory for solar energy in their town of 9,000 people nestled amid farms and forest preserves west of Chicago. And solar advocates say it is an example of the need for...
FirstEnergy gave $1 million to boost Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s campaign before scandal, document shows
Versions of this story were published by Floodlight, Energy News Network and the Ohio Capital Journal. A surge in FirstEnergy political spending ahead of the utility’s push to secure a legislative bailout for its nuclear power plants included a $1 million dark money contribution to support the campaign of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s eventual running mate.
Look for the helpers: Virginia climate volunteers connect with service providers on weatherization effort
Home weatherization contractors in the Harrisonburg, Virginia, region are flush with heat pumps, triple-pane windows and insulation. But they’re finding it challenging to identify and connect with low-income residents who could benefit from that full array of at-the-ready, energy efficiency upgrades. Volunteers with the Climate Action Alliance of the...
Environmental groups appeal court order on drilling under Ohio park and wildlife areas
Four environmental groups filed an appeal Friday challenging an Ohio judge’s order declining to review state regulators’ decisions to allow oil and gas drilling under state park and wildlife areas. The Notice of Appeal filed with Franklin County Court of Common Pleas takes issue with Judge Jaiza Page’s...
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