By 2030, Minnesota wants 20% of all light-duty vehicles on its roads to be electric. But a lot of charging stations are needed to help achieve that goal, and clean-energy advocates say there s positive movement in that direction. Supporters of electric vehicles, or EV s, point to Xcel Energy s new proposal, which involves adding 750 high-speed charging stations, as a big step in building up the region s capacity. .
Iowa is seen as a leader in renewable energy for sources like wind power, but tension is building in how to site such projects. The rapid growth of wind and solar has led to policy debates at the state level on whether to add regulations, as some landowners and farm groups fight certain plans. A new guide aims to give local officials a better grasp of proposals coming their way. .
Idaho Power has commissioned a study which found the rate it pays for rooftop solar customers to send their power back to the grid should be lowered. The monopoly energy company sent its study to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for consideration, suggesting net metering rates be cut by roughly 60%. Alex McKinley, owner of Empowered Solar in Boise, said the state has a great solar resource, but a cut in rates would likely hurt efforts to install panels on roofs. .