Advocates and lawmakers say utilities need to find different ways to deal with coal plant debt — and stop making a profit off it.
Author Archives: Kari Lydersen / Energy News Network
Kari has written for Midwest Energy News since January 2011. She is an author and journalist who worked for the Washington Post’s Midwest bureau from 1997 through 2009. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, Chicago News Cooperative, Chicago Reader and other publications. Kari covers Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana as well as environmental justice topics.
Posted inEnvironment, Government
In Wisconsin, federal grants could break bottleneck on climate funding
Wisconsin city and state leaders are glad for a nearly $5 billion federal initiative meant to help states and municipalities advance climate action plans.
Posted inEnvironment
Wisconsin utilities push own policies to compensate solar panel owners, but advocates want a unified approach
Solar advocates say there should be a uniform policy for compensating residential solar generation, rather than allowing “ad-hoc major reforms utility by utility.”
Posted inEnvironment
At rules hearing, U.S. EPA hears human toll of unaddressed coal ash pollution
“My husband and I had plans when I retired to travel; now he’s in the graveyard,” said the widow of a cleanup worker at the infamous 2008 Kingston, Tennessee, coal ash spill.
Posted inEnvironment
Advocates say conditions may be improving for rooftop solar in Wisconsin
A recent regulatory ruling on utility-owned rooftop solar may bode well for third-party-owned arrays.
Posted inEnvironment
Solar for Good: Program enables energy savings for Wisconsin schools, nonprofits
A unique model yields solar energy benefits, despite Wisconsin’s lack of legal clarity around third-party-owned installations.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Federal climate law changes the stakes in Wisconsin third-party solar fight
The Inflation Reduction Act opens up new opportunities for nonprofits to take advantage of tax credits, but Wisconsin regulators are still vague on what types of projects will be allowed.
Posted inEnvironment
Wisconsin case raises question: Who pays, profits from energy transition?
Critics say a proposed rate hike by We Energies for new solar and natural gas generation pits low-income residents against clean energy advocates, taking too much profit for shareholders
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Wisconsin regulators should look to Iowa for third-party solar model, advocates say
A pair of cases before regulators seek to clarify Wisconsin’s position on third-party-owned solar installations, in which the entity that owns the array is different from the property owner that will use the electricity.
Posted inEnvironment
La Crosse finds solar path despite ownership hurdle
A lack of clarity over third-party-owned solar in Wisconsin has stymied cities’ efforts to install photovoltaics on municipal buildings, but one city says it’s come up with a workaround that could be replicated elsewhere.
Posted inEconomy, Environment, Government
Wisconsin bill reveals fight over control, profit over electric vehicles
Amendments to the bill would bar governments from accepting payment at charging stations or selling electricity not purchased from the local utility.
Posted inEconomy, Environment
Amid utilities’ resistance, Wisconsin proposal would clear barrier for third-party rooftop solar
Wisconsin is the only state where third-party solar ownership has been blocked, advocates say. Legal uncertainty has prevented property owners from using the financing model.