Midwest

Solar

Illinois’ push to train workers for solar industry jobs is paying off

A state-funded hub for clean energy workforce development is creating employment and business opportunities in the surrounding community.

By Kari Lydersen .

12 September 2025

Six people stand on a roof with solar panels — Austin Frank, right, is a graduate of the solar training program at Lewis and Clark Community College in southern Illinois. His company, ARF, installed rooftop panels on one of the college’s buildings at no cost to the school. (Kari Lydersen/Canary Media)

Solar

Illinois farmers find that sheep and solar arrays go well together

The agrivoltaics practice of raising sheep under solar panels is a win-win for Illinois farmers — but first the market for lamb meat needs to grow.

By Kari Lydersen . 11 September 2025
Clean energy

These conservatives want government to stop working against clean energy

At the National Conservative Energy Summit in Cleveland, developers and regulators warned that restrictive laws are stalling wind and solar projects.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 4 September 2025
Green steel

Nippon Steel to begin relining Indiana blast furnace next year

The owner of U.S. Steel confirmed plans to revamp the aging coal-fueled facility at its Gary Works complex. Community groups want a low-carbon steel mill instead.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Trump admin orders dirty, expensive coal plant to stay open even longer

Keeping J.H. Campbell open past its slated close is costing Midwest households big. Advocates fear that more such orders are on the way.

By Jeff St. John . 21 August 2025
Utilities

Ohio Utility Watch: ‘Power corrupts’ and regulatory cases continue

The latest edition of Ohio Utility Watch, a periodic newsletter tracking developments in Ohio's House Bill 6 scandal.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 August 2025
Fossil fuels

In Appalachia, fracking is not the job creator the industry claims

Oil and gas production isn’t translating to more jobs for residents of heavily fracked communities, new research shows.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 14 August 2025
Fossil fuels

Ohio finally ends subsidies for two scandal-linked coal plants

Under the state’s infamous HB6 law, customers had to pay over half a billion dollars to keep the two 1950s-era plants running. A new law ends the subsidies this month.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 7 August 2025
Electrification

Meet Minnesota’s electric coffee roasting pioneers

Minneapolis-based Coffeewomple is one of the first U.S. roasters to use a commercial-scale electric coffee roaster, navigating higher costs for climate benefits.

By Dan Haugen . 5 August 2025
Electric vehicles

Can EV ambassadors help Chicago drivers go electric?

Aiming to help Illinois get 1 million EVs on the road by 2030, the state’s largest utility is tapping community leaders to convince neighbors to ditch gas cars.

By Kari Lydersen . 5 August 2025
Utilities

HB 6 regulatory cases weigh what FirstEnergy’s Ohio utilities should pay

The company's utilities argue they obeyed Ohio’s corporate separation law and that other issues merit only minor consequences. Opponents disagree.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski . 1 August 2025