Environmental Updates from Around the Midwest
October 2020 E-News
More than 240 Companies Power Minnesota’s Clean Energy Supply Chain ([link removed])
Our new Minnesota Clean Energy Business Supply Chain report ([link removed]) identifies 204 companies engaged in the solar energy industry and 130 in wind, with several companies overlapping roles in the interconnected green economy. Smart energy policies and local leaders are making Minnesota a hub in the growing clean energy economy.
These businesses exist in all 8 congressional districts in Minnesota, in 100 of the 134 State House districts, and in 63 of the 67 State Senate Districts. Minnesota is a clean energy leader, but can do even better and enjoy even more jobs and businesses, by adopting better, proven policies. A robust and stable policy framework will accelerate solar power, energy storage, and wind power resources.
ELPC defends residential solar in Illinois against Ameren maneuvers ([link removed])
llinois utility Ameren tried to pull a fast one this week, threatening to prematurely end net metering in its service territory or stop compensating residential solar customers at the full retail rate for the power they provide to the grid. ELPC and our solar allies in the state filed an emergency motion with the Illinois Commerce Comm ([link removed]) ission (ICC) on Monday ([link removed]) to stop Ameren from devastating the state’s solar market. The Illinois Power Agency, consumer advocates, and hundreds of concerned Illinoisans also expressed their concerns over the end of net metering, and their support for ELPC’s position to the ICC. Yesterday, the ICC took action to protect retail net metering. It urged Ameren "to provide full net metering credits to residential solar customers until an
audit is completed."
We’re pleased that the ICC demonstrated the importance of protecting consumers and providing oversight for Ameren and other utilities. We look forward to working with all parties to fully resolve this issue and ensure a fair Value for Solar in Illinois moving forward.
Michigan makes bold climate commitment amid Line 5 battle ([link removed])
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ELPC & Michigan Climate Action Network filed an opposition ([link removed]) with the Michigan Public Service Commission to Enbridge’s recent motion attempting to exclude climate change risks from the Line 5 tunnel siting hearings.
Fittingly, this same week, Governor Whitmer signed an executive directive ([link removed]) that outlines a goal of carbon neutrality within the next 30 years and a 28% reduction below 1999 level sin greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. ELPC’s Margrethe Kearney said ([link removed]) in Bridge Magazine, “Michigan is home to too much fossil-fuel based infrastructure. The order makes clear that Michigan will be a leader in tackling climate change by unabashedly recognizing the impact greenhouse gas emissions have on our environment.”
FirstEnergy must be held accountable in Ohio’s HB6 scandal ([link removed])
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Ohio is trying to dig its way out from under a cloud of corruption tied to last year’s HB6 bill, which gutted renewable energy and energy efficiency standards while bailing out coal and nuclear plants. After the State House Speaker and several associates were arrested this summer under allegations of bribery in HB6 negotiations, Ohioans are demanding accountability from other associated entities like FirstEnergy.
The Ohio Attorney General sued to block ([link removed]) FirstEnergy companies from collecting bailout funds from HB6, but the state court denied his preliminary injunction ([link removed]) . ELPC is calling on ([link removed]) the Public Utilities Commission to conduct a thorough investigation of FirstEnergy. We are also continuing to litigate our Sixth Circuit appeal from the FirstEnergy Solutions bankruptcy, which seeks to protect environmental interests on the nuclear decommissioning shortfall issues.
We had a terrific virtual event on September 10 with special guests Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. If you weren’t able to join the program live, you can watch the recording below. Keep a special eye out for ELPC Staff “in the wild” of their home environments. Thank you for all of your support this year, as ELPC keeps playing to win to protect the Midwest’s environment. If you want to support this great work, please donate here ([link removed]) .
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ELPC NEWS CENTER
ELPC Blog: In Honor and Memory of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ([link removed])
Bloomberg CityLab: Mapping the Disparities That Bred an Unequal Pandemic ([link removed])
Lakeshore Public Radio: ArcelorMittal Sells Most Indiana Facilities To Ohio-Based Company ([link removed])
MLive: Trump casts self as Great Lakes champion, but his policies may do lasting damage ([link removed])
Bismarck Tribune: North Dakota Supreme Court sides with state in Davis Refinery dispute ([link removed])
GreatLakesNow: Total Maximum Daily Load: Court case looks to push for Ohio EPA nutrients limit for Lake Erie ([link removed])
Inside Climate News: Inside Clean Energy: Net Zero by 2050 has Quickly Become the New Normal for the Largest U.S. Utilities ([link removed])
Forbes: When Zero-Carbon Nuclear Asks for Money, Advocates Find It Hard To Say No ([link removed])
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