Trump's involvement and private equity investments threatening the clean energy vision of a Minnesota utility company

In the rapidly evolving world of energy, several significant developments are shaping the power landscape across the Midwest. Here's a look at some of the key stories making headlines.

South Dakota Uranium Mining Project Fast-Tracked

The Trump administration has selected a long-planned uranium mining project in South Dakota for a speedy permitting process, a move that has raised concerns among environmentalists and indigenous communities. (Source: South Dakota Searchlight)

Minnesota Power's Clean Energy Future in Question

Minnesota Power is mandated by state law to make electricity sales carbon-free by 2040. However, the Trump administration's attacks on the clean energy industry and potential private equity ownership could complicate compliance. The private equity firm potentially leading the acquisition of Minnesota Power's parent company is ALLETE. (Source: MinnPost)

Michigan Democrats Propose Ratepayer Bill of Rights

Michigan Democrats are planning to introduce a ratepayer 'bill of rights' that aims to provide better compensation for customers during outages and tie rate increases to utility performance. (Source: Michigan Advance)

Ohio Coal Plants Seek Funding, Ohio Utility Seeks Ratepayer Support

American Electric Power (AEP) has requested $35 million from ratepayers to support two unprofitable coal plants in Ohio, marking the utility's first request since lawmakers passed a bill prohibiting bailouts for the plants. Meanwhile, AEP's rival utility, FirstEnergy, is seeking $3 billion from ratepayers to support two nuclear plants. (Source: Signal Ohio)

Startup Claims Breakthrough in Heat Pump Technology

A startup claims it can halve the cost of a heat pump, a potential game-changer in the race to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Source: Canary)

Public Utility Receives Google Funding for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

The publicly owned utility serving Lincoln, Nebraska, has received $300,000 from Google to provide energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing. (Source: Nebraska Public Media)

Solar Array Roadblocks in Rural Communities

A fourth-generation South Dakota farmer is unable to install a solar array due to misinformation leading to overly restrictive zoning rules, a trend mirrored across rural U.S. communities. (Source: The Guardian)

Iowa Governor Race Heats Up over Carbon Pipeline

The future of the Summit carbon pipeline is a key issue in the Iowa Republican primary for governor, as the project divides the GOP base. (Source: Des Moines Register)

Regulators to Decide Fate of Minnesota Power's Parent Company

The sale of Minnesota Power's parent company is expected to be decided by regulators on Oct. 3, and opponents continue to challenge the deal over clean energy and cost concerns. (Source: MPR News, The Guardian)

Enbridge's Line 5 Reroute Plan Advances

A case determining whether Enbridge can move forward with a plan to reroute a portion of Line 5 in northern Wisconsin advances, with tribal, state, and company officials presenting their arguments. (Source: WUWM)

Consumers Energy Sells Hydroelectric Dams for $1

Consumers Energy plans to sell 13 unprofitable hydroelectric dams it owns in Michigan for $1 apiece to a private equity firm, and the utility would then purchase the electricity back. (Source: Bridge)

Fracking Waste Injection Well Seeks Taxpayer Compensation

The company that owns an Ohio fracking waste injection well that caused two earthquakes in 2014 and was shuttered by state regulators seeks $20.5 million from taxpayers for losses it blames on regulators. (Source: Signal Ohio)

Data Center Dreams Dashed in Minnesota Town

A Minnesota town faces a setback in its hopes for economic prosperity from data centers after Amazon withdraws its plans. (Source: Star Tribune)

Missouri Solar Project Goes Online, Powers Microsoft

A 150 MW Missouri solar project has come online, supplying power to Microsoft under a 15-year contract. (Source: Hart Energy)

Tesla Unveils Megablock, a Big, Easy-to-Deploy Grid Battery

Tesla has launched the Megablock, a big, easy-to-deploy grid battery. (Source: Canary)

Midwest Attorneys General Warn Against Climate Change Lawsuits

States' attorneys general from South Dakota and Kansas argue that lawsuits seeking climate change damages from fossil fuel companies pose a dangerous threat to the industry. (Source: States Newsroom)

Traditional Wild Rice Harvest Threatened by Line 5

The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa contend that Line 5's continued operation near their land in northern Wisconsin threatens traditional wild rice harvesting. (Source: Capital Times)

Trump's involvement and private equity investments threatening the clean energy vision of a Minnesota utility company