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Transparency Concerns Surround Proposed Saline Township Data Center Review
Michigan is currently experiencing a boom in data center developments after a tax incentive was approved by lawmakers in 2024. Since then, there have been at least 17 proposals for projects. One project that has drawn the attention of the Michigan Attorney General and the public is a massive data center in Saline Township. The…
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Sierra Club Responds to Ohio Legislature Closing Long-Running Chapter on Coal Bailout
After years of widespread public engagement, the Ohio legislature has finally passed HB15, which includes the long-overdue repeal of the OVEC coal plant bailout. For years, Ohioans subsidized two aging, unprofitable coal plants—Kyger Creek in Ohio and Clifty Creek in Indiana—paying nearly $500,000 a day, totaling over $467 million. The bailout originated years ago through…
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Understanding I&M’s Coal Plant Use and The Effect on Energy Prices
Indiana Michigan Power Company, or I&M, has made headlines in the recent weeks for its support of maintaining two of the oldest coal plants without retirement dates, Clifty Creek and Kyger Creek. Both of these plants are owned by an I&M parent company, American Electric Power (AEP), known as the Ohio Valley Electric Corp (OVEC).…
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MPSC Issues Precedent-Setting Decision in DTE Gas Rate Case
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved on Thursday a $113.8 million rate increase for DTE Gas Company, rather than the $266 million hike originally asked for. This will affect the average customer by a $2 monthly increase on their utility bill. Along with the rate hike, the MPSC also approved a capped version of…
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Michigan Public Service Commission considers new transmission lines
Michigan Electric Transmission Company is planning an $850 million transmission project that will aim to enhance the energy grid and support renewable energy initiatives state-wide. A key component of this proposal consists of two high-voltage transmission lines to run through central and southern Michigan. Developers are planning to seek 200ft easements for the project from…
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DTE Energy’s Renewable Energy Plan under Public Act 235
DTE Energy has filed its first renewable energy plan case under Public Act 235, one of the suite of energy laws passed in Michigan last November, and it’s got some good news for ratepayers. Read more about the case and comments from Troposphere Legal about key issues in this MLive story.
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Troposphere Legal’s Chris Bzdok Awarded Sierra Club’s William O. Douglas Award
Chris Bzdok of Troposphere Legal was awarded Sierra Club’s William O. Douglas Award last night in a virtual celebration. This award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding use of the legal and judicial process to achieve environmental goals. Chris has been doing just that for the last 27 years! The award specifically recognized Chris for…
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Success against high-cost electricity from coal
The New York Times reports on state utility commissions that have started pushing back on the high costs of electricity from coal-fired power plants. Troposphere Legal assisted Sierra Club with the Michigan cases discussed in the article.
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Combatting the Steep Costs of Rockport
The team from Troposphere Legal has been working to combat the excessive costs of the Rockport plan in various cases since 2019. Read more at The Checks and Balances Project.
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Michigan Takes Energy Efficiency to the Next Level
Part 1 – New Efficiency Requirements and Electrification. By Chris Bzdok Last November the Michigan Legislature passed a suite of clean energy laws intended to transform the generation and distribution of electricity in our state. One of these laws, Public Act 229 of 2023, requires all electric utilities – investor-owned, municipal, and cooperatives – to achieve…
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