Environmental advocates are calling a Michigan proposal to use animal and industrial waste as a source of "renewable natural gas" for power generation "flawed," and warned it could hinder the state s ability to meet its decarbonization goals. The proposal, now being studied by the Michigan Public Service Commission, would use state and federal funds to build what s being called a renewable natural gas facility. Levi Teitel, rural communications coordinator for Progress Michigan, said there is no scientific proof using anaerobic digestion also known as biomass is a cost-effective way to fight climate change. .
The new Inflation Reduction Act is expected to spur more clean-energy projects around the country. It coincides with some encouraging numbers for Iowa this past quarter. In its latest market report, the American Clean Power Association said Iowa led the nation for land-based wind installations for the second quarter, despite slower development at the national level due to trade issues and other factors facing the industry. .
The Maine Department of Transportation is "going green," with plans to install solar arrays on three state-owned properties in Augusta. The Transportation Department breaks ground this week on renewable-energy sites at the Augusta Airport and inside the Interstate 95 interchanges, at Exits 109 and 112. Once completed, the arrays will provide low-cost renewable energy to power both the State Capitol complex and East Campus. .
Next week, North Dakota landowners will get a chance to hear updates on a proposed underground pipeline for transporting and sequestering carbon dioxide. The meeting comes as tension builds between landowners and the company behind the project.
Summit Carbons Solutions has described its five-state, 2,000 mile carbon capture pipeline as being a $4.5 billion project. A 3% fee passed by Emmons County could amount to $135 million. Iowa-based Summit Carbon Solutions says the pipeline will help ethanol plants lower their carbon score. The project aims to capture greenhouse gas emissions and pipe the CO2 to western North Dakota for underground storage.