Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI)

Spurt in Hydro Relicensing To Leave U.S. Awash in Environmental Stories

Hundreds of hydropower dams in the United States will see their licenses expiring in the next decade, generating years-long federal relicensing processes. That prospect calls for close local and regional coverage of the complicated balance between renewable energy needs with negative environmental impacts. The latest TipSheet explains the licensing process and the dam backstory, along with a dozen story ideas and reporting resources.

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"Ohio Gov. DeWine Campaign Got Secret $2.5 Million Boost From Power Company"

"A dark money group funded by FirstEnergy spent $2.5 million to support the GOP hopeful as the utility pushed bailout of struggling nuclear plants."

Source: USA TODAY/Floodlight, 04/23/2024

US Agrees With Native American Tribe That Line 5 Pipeline Is Trespassing

"The Biden administration straddled the line on a controversial Canadian oil pipeline in a court filing Wednesday, saying a lower court’s order to drain portions running through tribal land may violate a 1977 treaty but agreeing with a Native American tribe that the operator is trespassing on tribal land."

Source: The Hill, 04/11/2024

FirstEnergy Gave Secret $1 Million To Ohio Lt. Gov. Campaign in Scandal

"A surge in FirstEnergy political spending ahead of the utility’s push to secure a legislative bailout for its nuclear power plants included a $1 million dark money contribution to support the campaign of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s eventual running mate."

Source: Floodlight/Energy News Network, 04/11/2024

"Railroad Agrees To $600 Million Settlement For Fiery Ohio Derailment"

"Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $600 million in a class-action lawsuit settlement for a fiery train derailment in February 2023 in eastern Ohio, but local residents worry the money won’t go very far because their potential health needs down the road may be tremendous."

Source: AP, 04/10/2024

"From Michigan to Nebraska, Midwest States Face an Early Wildfire Season"

"The blazes come after a record dry winter in the region. “Year to date, we've had close to 300 wildfires statewide,” a Wisconsin official said. “The normal year-to-date 10-year average is about 40 fires.”"

Source: Inside Climate News, 03/29/2024

DOE Will Lend $1.5B To Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, A US First

"The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion loan to restart a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, officials announced Wednesday."

Source: AP, 03/28/2024

"A Great Lakes Pipeline Tangles Politics in Two Battleground States"

"Line 5 crosses tribal lands, runs beneath the water and needs major upgrades. Opponents fear spills. Supporters envision jobs. Everyone sees a fight."

Source: NYTimes, 03/28/2024

Paused Ohio "Chemical Recycling" Plant Puts Spotlight On Appalachia

"On a bright, cold day in February, Akim Lattermore stood in front of her house gesturing toward the site of a proposed facility that would convert old tires, electronic waste and plastic into fuel."

Source: EHN, 03/27/2024

"Lead In Water A Threat To Two-Thirds Of Young Children In Chicago"

"Two out of three very young children in Chicago were exposed to at least trace amounts of lead in their home tap water, a study found, highlighting the need for City Hall to speed up replacements of brain-damaging lead pipes."

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, 03/21/2024

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