Infrastructure Bill Boosts Carbon Capture, Solar Power; Ohio's PUCO Ties Resurface
The proposed federal infrastructure bill has allocated a significant sum for carbon capture projects and pipelines in the Bakken region. Meanwhile, an Illinois university has cut utility costs by installing solar panels, and a controversial figure's ties to a Duke Energy have resurfaced.
The infrastructure bill includes $14.6 billion to benefit carbon capture projects and pipelines in the Bakken region. This is part of the Biden administration's push to combat climate change. In other news, an Illinois university has saved approximately $45,000 a year on utility costs after installing solar panels on two of its buildings. The panels are expected to pay for themselves within a few years.
Turning to political matters, Sam Randazzo, a former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), was accused of having ties to Duke Energy and receiving financial support from the company. This came to light in 2020, around the same time Duke Energy was found to have played a significant role in a bribery scandal linked to the Nuclear Power Plant Bailout legislation (House Bill 6).
On a brighter note, financially struggling U.S. nuclear power plants may receive a $6 billion lifeline under the proposed bipartisan infrastructure bill. This could help keep these plants operational and maintain jobs in the sector. Enbridge executives have also reiterated the importance of pipeline networks in the clean energy transition. Meanwhile, Canadian researchers have discovered a rare bacteria that could potentially help clean up oil spills in places like the Great Lakes.
In the renewable energy sector, AES Indiana has announced plans to acquire a 250 MW solar project combined with energy storage. Additionally, a new Illinois law has expanded protections for homeowners who wish to install solar panels, despite opposition from some homeowners associations. Lastly, Iowa has led the nation in renewable energy production, with nearly 58% of its electricity coming from renewable sources last year.
The federal infrastructure bill's provisions for carbon capture projects and pipelines in the Bakken region, along with the solar panel installation at an Illinois university, demonstrate a commitment to clean energy initiatives. Meanwhile, the resurfacing of Sam Randazzo's ties to Duke Energy serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in political and corporate dealings. The potential solutions to oil spills and the expansion of solar energy protections also highlight progress in environmental and energy sectors.
