Groups call on Illinois to phase out gas, diesel vehicles

TRANSPORTATION: Illinois health and environmental groups call on the state’s pollution control agency to phase out sales of most gas- and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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CLEAN ENERGY:

• North Dakota officials warn Minnesota that the state’s carbon-free electricity target by 2040, which applies to electricity imported from across state lines, may be unconstitutional. (Minnesota Reformer)
• Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs permitting reforms into law that backers say will speed up renewable energy projects and help the state meet long-term clean energy targets. (KTTC)

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AIR POLLUTION: The U.S. Supreme Court sides with Ohio and Indiana by pausing enforcement of the Biden administration’s “good neighbor” rule aimed at preventing downwind air pollution crossing state borders. (Associated Press)

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SOLAR: A Chicago-based nonprofit offers 10- to 13-week courses that equip disadvantaged workers with job skills for the state’s growing solar industry. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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RENEWABLES: Americans’ support for renewable energy and electric vehicles is declining with older Republicans driving the drop in support since 2020, according to a new Pew survey. (Bloomberg)

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NUCLEAR:

• The owner of a shuttered 600 MW Iowa nuclear plant says he’d consider reopening the plant if the supply was needed and the project could be done safely and on budget. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Wisconsin’s top energy regulator says new federal legislation could help the state move more quickly to modular nuclear reactors. (WisPolitics)

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COAL: Coal plants in Ohio and Indiana have lost hundreds of millions of dollars so far this year as the costs to operate plants grow compared to cheaper alternatives. (Checks & Balances Project)

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GRID: New research suggests utility customers could see bill savings of up to 40% when rooftop solar, battery storage and other demand-reducing technologies are deployed. (Inside Climate News)

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ELECTRIFICATION: A $2.2 billion hospital under development in Detroit will include a $235 million electric heating and cooling system that would make it just the second all-electric hospital in the country. (Crain’s Detroit, subscription)

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COMMENTARY: The head of a biogas advocacy group says capturing methane from landfills, agricultural waste and other sources to produce electricity could help meet growing power demand. (Utility Dive)

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