In the news today…
Grid:
- Star Tribune reports that Xcel Energy plans a $500 million, 140-mile transmission line to help move renewable energy through Minnesota.
- E&E News reports State utility regulators call on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to address the current dearth of interregional transmission projects.
- WNDU reports an Indiana transmission company moves forward with plans for an underground power line to serve the South Bend area after an appeals court ruled the project could not primarily serve a private entity, Notre Dame University.
- Cedar Rapids Gazette reports an Iowa State University professor says more transmission needs to be built to ensure reliability as more renewables come online to replace fossil fuel plants.
- Daily Energy Insider reports that Evergy officials say investments in predictive maintenance, grid modernization and diversification have already reduced the quality and scope of outages this summer.
Coal:
- MLive reports that the planned early closure of a western Michigan coal plant spurs breach of contract lawsuits between the plant owner, Consumers Energy, and an electric cooperative that relies on the plant for power.