Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Indiana now defines natural gas and propane as clean energy under a law signed by Gov.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/04/in-indiana-natural-gas-is-clean-energy-now/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Elon Musk poured more than $20 million into Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. The most expensive judicial election in state history — and possibly costliest state supreme court election ever — came as Musk’s company, Tesla, sued to open dealerships in Wisconsin.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/04/musk-fails-to-flip-top-wisconsin-court-amid-tesla-lawsuit-over-dealerships/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Michigan’s investments in electric vehicle manufacturing are in jeopardy following what the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency called the “most consequential day of deregulation in U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/03/michigan-ev-industry-on-a-knife-edge-as-energy-project-delays-mount-across-region/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Hundreds of energy projects may have their permits fast-tracked by the Trump administration, including Enbridge’s tunnel for Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac and a roughly $1 billion gas plant in Superior.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/03/oil-and-gas-projects-fast-tracked-while-minnesota-power-plans-to-quit-fossil-fuels/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Chicago Democrat Michael Madigan — known for being the longest-serving legislative leader in United States history — was convicted last week of conspiracy, bribery and wire fraud.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/02/from-madigans-conviction-to-comeds-ev-rebate-program-how-illinois-is-shaping-its-energy-future/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
This is a weird time for clean energy. Much of the federal funding supporting the energy transition has become embroiled in President Donald Trump’s executive orders and the court decisions blocking them.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/02/for-clean-energy-in-the-great-lakes-region-2025-is-off-to-an-uneasy-start/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Uncertainty abounds in the energy sector as President Donald Trump returns to office. In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump promised to “revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry.” Trump has already begun the process of reversing Biden-era policies meant to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and reduce emissions from gas cars.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/01/energy-sector-holds-its-breath-as-nuclear-power-inches-forward/
Catch the latest energy news from around the Great Lakes region. Check back for these biweekly Energy News Roundups.
Chicago’s commitment to using 100% renewable energy at city-owned buildings went into effect Jan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2025/01/energy-transition-small-wins-uncertainty-upper-midwest/
The company planning a controversial pipeline reroute in northern Wisconsin recently told officials that it spilled approximately 69,300 gallons of crude oil in the southern part of the state, making this Wisconsin’s largest oil spill since at least 2012. Enbridge first reported the spill, which was caused by an underground equipment failure on its Line 6 pipeline, on Nov.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/12/energy-news-roundup-wisconsin-reacts-to-oil-spill-as-pipeline-fight-continues/
Customers who paid Sun Badger Solar for installations that never came won’t get a refund — at least for now. The Wisconsin-based company’s limited remaining assets will instead be used to cover a fraction of its employees’ unpaid wages. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce development expects to receive about $126,000 to go toward employee compensation.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/12/energy-news-roundup-bad-news-for-rooftop-solar-customers/
Wisconsin officials put a controversial pipeline reroute one step closer to construction last week when they issued permits for Enbridge Energy, a Canadian oil company, to move a section of Line 5 off of Tribal land in the far northern part of the state. Construction and agricultural industry groups cheered the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ decision.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/11/energy-news-roundup-line-5s-potential-reroute-plus-mining-permits-stoke-fears-of-contamination/
Ford is suspending production of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck at its plant in Dearborn, Michigan, from mid-November until early 2025 as EV sales continue to lag behind expectations. Since the electric pickup’s launch a couple of years ago, when Ford fielded more demand than it was able to meet, momentum has slowed, and the automaker has this year halved production of the Lightning and reduced its hourly workforce at the Dearborn plant by two-thirds.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/11/energy-news-roundup-more-energy-transition-ups-and-downs/
Retirement is in sight for one of the country’s largest coal plants. Ohio’s James M. Gavin plant, the third most gargantuan in the Midwest and sixth nationwide, will likely be closed or converted to run on gas by 2031, Inside Climate News reported. The two coal plants in the region with more generating capacity — the Gibson plant in Indiana and the Monroe plant in Michigan — are set to retire in 2038 and 2032, respectively, after electric utility Duke Energy proposed a couple of weeks ago to delay the Gibson plant’s closure or conversion by three years from its previous target of 2035.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/10/energy-news-roundup-retirement-is-in-sight-for-another-huge-coal-plant/
Midwestern convenience store giant Kwik Trip is breaking into the charging business. The chain, known for its gas and grocery offerings, will install electric vehicle chargers at “a strategic number of its stores” through its new Kwik Charge program. The announcement comes a few months after Kwik Trip received about $23 million in federal funds aimed at establishing a statewide EV charging network in Wisconsin.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/10/energy-news-roundup-kwik-trip-goes-electric-as-federal-funds-flow-in/
There’s a whole lot of energy stuff happening in Michigan.
The push to restart the Palisades nuclear reactor in the southwestern part of the state is gaining steam. So is the opposition. The plant, which shuttered in 2022 amid competition from cheaper energy sources, is now set to receive more than $2.4 billion in public subsidies.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/09/energy-news-roundup-michigan-michigan-michigan/
The 2024 presidential race is heating up, and politicians from the Great Lakes region are in the spotlight on both sides of the aisle. Energy can be a divisive issue around here. The state lawmakers in contention for vice president reflect that. Former President Donald Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/08/energy-news-roundup-amid-national-attention-great-lakes-states-continue-their-push-to-electrify/
Those living near the Palisades nuclear power plant in Southwest Michigan remain divided over plans to resurrect it. The proposed recommissioning would be the first for a retired nuclear plant in the United States — but could pave the way for more. At a recent meeting in Benton Harbor that marked the opening of a federal public comment period, some of the plant’s neighbors said they were excited about the jobs it would bring back or the low-carbon electricity it would send flowing back onto the grid.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/07/energy-news-roundup-climate-change-energy-transition-are-transforming-the-great-lakes-region/
There’s been plenty of federal attention aimed at the Great Lakes region over the past couple of weeks. The Biden administration last Thursday announced four new “workforce hubs” in Upstate New York, Michigan, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. The hubs — which join the five announced last year in Columbus, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Augusta, and Phoenix — are intended to help communities access training for jobs in the clean energy space.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/05/energy-news-roundup-federal-money-pours-in-to-accelerate-energy-transition/
In Ohio and other states in the path of Monday’s total solar eclipse, tons of harried officials are busy dealing with concerns like traffic congestion and hotel capacity. At least a few are also conscious of the fact that demand for electricity is going to spike at the same time that the supply of solar power temporarily plummets.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/04/energy-news-roundup-even-the-solar-eclipse-is-an-energy-issue/
Keep up with energy-related developments in the Great Lakes area with Great Lakes Now’s biweekly headline roundup.
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Illinois
Illinois EPA announces grants to fund energy efficiency assessments in areas of environmental justice concern — Southerner
An Illinois program will provide $500,000 in grants to local organizations that make energy efficiency investments in environmental justice communities.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/03/energy-news-roundup-state-senators-advocate-for-community-solar-projects-proposed-natural-gas-plant-gets-renewed-scrutiny/
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Illinois
Chicago launches climate lawsuit against oil industry — E&E News by Politico
Chicago files a lawsuit accusing six oil companies and a major industry group of waging a campaign to discredit climate science and misleading the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/03/energy-news-roundup-chicago-organization-to-build-geothermal-heating-and-cooling-in-south-side-alleys/
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Illinois
A gold star for EV Readiness: Chicago-area program prepares communities for electric vehicle adoption — Energy News Network
A Chicago-area regional government agency offers communities a blueprint for upgrading electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/02/energy-news-roundup-tribal-leaders-appear-at-a-federal-courthouse-in-chicago-to-challenge-line-5/
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Illinois
Utility co-op aims to stay ahead of the power curve — Southern Illinoisan
A new Illinois law that took effect on Jan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2024/01/energy-news-roundup-line-5-approval-is-appealed-by-tribes-and-environmental-groups/
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Illinois
Pritzker signs Illinois measure allowing new small-scale nuclear technology — St. Louis Public Radio
Illinois Gov.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/12/energy-news-roundup-community-solar-projects-seen-as-key-step-toward-energy-justice-in-illinois-great-lakes-offshore-wind-farm-put-on-hold/
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Illinois
Halpin supports lifting Illinois nuclear plant moratorium as part of clean-energy solution — Local 4 News
An Illinois state senator says he backed a bill to lift the state’s nuclear moratorium to advance modular reactor research and “provide a bridge” during the renewable energy transition.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/energy-news-roundup-renewable-energy-fuels-major-economic-payoffs-in-rural-indiana-amazon-announces-its-first-michigan-solar-farm-project/
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Illinois
Chicago-area startup banks on ethanol-fueled trucking as alternative to battery electric — Energy News Network
A Chicago-area startup develops technology to retrofit diesel engines to run on ethanol, betting that it’s a faster path to decarbonize heavy-duty trucking than waiting for electric replacements.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/11/energy-news-roundup-states-rebrand-energy-to-meet-electricity-targets-ohio-legislation-to-declare-nuclear-power-as-green-energy/
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Illinois
Illinois wants Spire to show it shouldn’t be held in contempt over its embattled pipeline — St.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/10/energy-news-roundup-vision-green-energy-underserved-communities-nationwide-burst-clean-energy-jobs/
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Illinois
Will County solar boom not entirely welcomed — Herald-News
Some Illinois local officials say a recent state law limits their ability to block commercial solar developments amid landowner opposition.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/09/energy-news-roundup-opposition-solar-development-illinois-excessive-heat-detroit/
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Illinois
Wind, solar training facility opens in Bloomington — Pantagraph
Officials unveil a new technical training center in Bloomington, Illinois, that will train at least 100 people annually for wind and solar jobs.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/energy-news-roundup-climate-action-plan-illinois-offshore-wind-lake-erie/
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Illinois
Chicago Mayor Receives Blueprint for ’Green New Deal’ to Address Environmental Justice — Inside Climate News
Advocates deliver Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson a local “Green New Deal” proposal that aims to tackle energy affordability, clean energy job opportunities, and environmental justice curricula in schools.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/08/energy-news-roundup-improvements-coming-to-michigans-power-grid-congress-climate-spending/
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Illinois
Byron nuclear station, 12 taxing bodies reach settlement on EAV — Ogle County News
The owner of an Illinois nuclear plant reaches an agreement with surrounding taxing entities on how much it owes in property taxes, settling years of ongoing appeals.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/07/energy-news-roundup-sulfur-smell-indiana-minnesota-power-solar-project/
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Illinois
Largest solar farm in Illinois will help Chicago’s city operations meet climate goal — Energy News Network
About half of the output from Illinois’ largest solar project will be devoted to offsetting the city of Chicago’s municipal electric use when it’s completed in late 2024.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-ohio-law-solar-energy-development-line-5-michigan-continues/
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Illinois
Tax credits help lure solar-powered manufacturing plant, 60 new jobs to southern Illinois — Belleville News-Democrat
A new southern Illinois plant that will manufacture components for solar panels and electric vehicles also will be powered by a 15-acre onsite solar project.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-minnesota-leading-clean-energy-coal-plant-closing-michigan/
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Illinois
House passes bill to bar officials convicted of corruption from holding public office — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois lawmakers advance an ethics bill barring anyone convicted of certain crimes while in office from serving again, two weeks after guilty verdicts were handed down in the “ComEd Four” trial.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/06/energy-news-roundup-illinois-house-passes-ethics-bill-epa-rule-in-indiana/
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Illinois
Jury convicts all four defendants in ComEd bribery trial — and fires a warning shot at Michael Madigan — Chicago-Sun Times
A jury finds all four defendants guilty of bribery conspiracy in a case involving former ComEd executives accused of arranging jobs, contracts and money for allies of former democratic Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for favorable legislation.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/energy-news-roundup-hydrogen-fuel-plant-michigan-un-recommends-shutting-down-line-5/
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Illinois
Chicago’s Blacks in Green gets a major boost from a $10 million EPA grant — Energy News Network
Chicago’s Blacks in Green receives a five-year, $10 million U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/05/energy-news-roundup-line-5-negotiations-michigan-funding-clean-energy-illinois/
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Illinois
Cook County, Illinois, contributes more to smog pollution violations in other states than anywhere else in the country, according to federal data.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/03/energy-news-roundup-power-outages-in-michigan-future-of-nuclear-power-in-illinois/
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Illinois
Three Chicago-area oil refineries are among U.S.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/energy-news-roundup-minnesota-2040-carbon-free-energy-bill-coal-ash-crackdown/
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Illinois
ComEd says that’s the cost of bolstering the region’s electric grid in a statewide effort to phase out carbon emissions and to protect the system from severe weather damage that’s becoming more common due to climate change.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/01/energy-news-roundup-gas-stove-debate-electric-vehicle-expansion/
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Illinois
A project that combines energy efficiency, solar power and electrification is part of developer A.J.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/01/energy-news-roundup-programs-provide-solar-low-income-illinois-ohio/
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Illinois
Illinois ranks 16th nationally in a new energy efficiency scorecard behind Midwest top performers Minnesota and Michigan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/12/energy-news-roundup-renewable-natural-gas-ontario-solar-projects-michigan/
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Illinois
The town of Zion, Illinois, went into an economic spiral after the sudden closure of a nuclear power plant 25 years ago.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/11/energy-news-roundup-nuclear-communities-sidelined-mid-michigan-wind-energy/
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Illinois
Chicago transit advocates raise concerns over a state transportation plan that calls for more expressway lanes instead of prioritizing public transit.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/energy-news-roundup-michigan-study-of-nuclear-power-clean-energy-jobs-wisconsin/
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Illinois
With a 100% carbon-free electricity target by 2045, Illinois must now grapple with the complexities over how exactly to reach that goal.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/10/energy-news-roundup-indigenous-communities-clean-energy-solutions/
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Illinois
Illinois Gov.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/energy-news-roundup-line-3-protests-renewable-energy-efforts-growing/
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Illinois:
Starting this week, the new federal Inflation Reduction Act combined with the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act will bring the average cost for residential solar installations from $25,000 down to approximately $7,500.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/09/energy-news-roundup-new-climate-laws-impact-states/
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Illinois
Chicago has signed a $422.2 million agreement with Constellation New Energy, LLC to provide renewable power to government buildings, street lights and all other city assets — and a carbon-free footprint — by 2025.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/08/energy-news-roundup-michigan-solar-power-inflation-reduction-act/
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Illinois
Solar, storage projects set to bring jobs, tax revenue to Illinois coal communities — Energy News Network
Six retired coal plants in downstate Illinois will soon receive solar panels and become renewable energy storage sites.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/energy-news-roundup/
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Illinois:
Officials in Normal, Illinois, see Rivian’s growth and corporate culture as a key part of the city’s long-term sustainability plan.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/07/energy-news-roundup-prices-hikes-solar-struggle/
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Illinois:
In September, Illinois lawmakers passed a watershed clean energy law which established the state as a leader for its efforts to decarbonize.
Great Lakes Now
https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/energy-news-roundup-impending-energy-crisis/
