Illinois
Illinois Power Agency releases draft energy storage procurement documents for August 2026 solicitation.
• Illinois Power Agency publishes draft Indexed Storage Credit contract and preliminary proposal requirements for August 2026 energy storage procurement.
[IPA Reminders and Updates] email://IL/press_release/8e53bb4adc89bca7
• IDNR awards 108 biodiversity field trip grants to state parks and museums, enabling nearly 7,000 students to visit natural resource sites.
[IDNR awards 108 biodiversity field trip grants to Illinois state parks, historic sites and museums] email://IL/press_release/f32317a8625ac828
News: Energy demand in ComEd territory could double by 2040, in part driven by data centers (Capitol News Illinois) https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/energy-demand-in-comed-territory-could-double-by-2040-in-part-driven-by-data-centers/
Indiana
No significant climate or energy policy developments this week.
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management website updated with routine press release page changes.
[IN IDEM News] https://www.in.gov/idem/about/newsroom/press-releases/
Kansas
Governor Kelly vetoes five bills including building code legislation.
• Governor Kelly vetoes House Bill 2043 and four other bills, with building code provisions mentioned among the vetoed legislation.
[Governor Kelly Vetoes Five Bills] email://KS/press_release/0572bcafacdb886f
News: Kansas landowners push back on power line project as regulators cite reliability needs (Kansas Reflector) https://kansasreflector.com/2026/04/22/kansas-landowners-push-back-on-power-line-project-as-regulators-cite-reliability-needs/
News: Storage is key to a strong healthy energy future. Wyandotte County deserves responsible investment. (Kansas Reflector) https://kansasreflector.com/2026/04/24/storage-is-key-to-a-strong-healthy-energy-future-wyandotte-county-deserves-responsible-investment/
Kentucky
No significant climate or energy policy developments this week.
• Governor Beshear announces $6.8 million business investment in Covington retaining 57 jobs at Global Business Solutions.
[Gov. Beshear: Global Business Solutions Returns to Covington] email://KY/press_release/f61c9cc89e732a83
• Kentucky Public Service Commission updates press release page with routine changes.
[KY PSC Press Releases] https://psc.ky.gov/Home/Press
News: Fighting for the 'luxury' of air in Kentucky's worst region for pollution (Kentucky Lantern) https://kentuckylantern.com/2026/04/22/fighting-for-the-luxury-of-air-in-kentuckys-worst-region-for-pollution/
Michigan
GOP-controlled House committee advances bills to repeal Michigan's clean energy mandate.
• EGLE finalizes Michigan Maritime Strategy, a ten-year plan prioritizing clean energy, carbon neutrality, and climate resilience for the maritime sector.
[EGLE's Great Lakes office finalizes Michigan Maritime Strategy] https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/office-of-the-great-lakes/maritime
• Michigan leaders propose dam safety regulation updates to strengthen oversight and increase accountability amid climate concerns.
[Michigan leaders push for dam safety regulation updates] https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/dam-safety/drrgp
News: Bills to repeal Michigan's clean energy mandate advanced by GOP-controlled House committee (Michigan Advance) https://michiganadvance.com/2026/04/28/bills-to-repeal-michigans-clean-energy-mandate-advanced-by-gop-controlled-house-committee/
News: As DTE seeks $474 million rate hike, Nessel pledges to intervene (Michigan Advance) https://michiganadvance.com/briefs/as-dte-seeks-474-million-rate-hike-nessel-pledges-to-intervene/
Minnesota
Minnesota DNR announces tree planting program and fisheries management activities.
• Minnesota DNR plans to plant nearly 2 million tree seedlings on state land this spring and hosts public meeting for Mille Lacs Lake fisheries management.
[Minnesota DNR news releases] https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/millelacslake/index.html
News: Interior's Burgum accused of 'kneecapping' wind and solar power in favor of oil, gas (Minnesota Reformer) https://minnesotareformer.com/2026/04/21/repub/interiors-burgum-accused-of-kneecapping-wind-and-solar-power-in-favor-of-oil-gas/
Missouri
Missouri releases routine energy bulletin with petroleum and natural gas market data.
• Missouri Department of Natural Resources publishes weekly energy bulletin with petroleum, natural gas, and biofuel market updates.
[Energy Bulletin - April 22, 2026] https://dnr.mo.gov/energy]##
Nebraska
Nebraska grapples with record warm, dry drought conditions.
• Nebraska releases proven crude oil reserves data showing reserves peaked at 100 million barrels in 1961.
[Nebraska's Proven Crude Oil Reserves] https://dwee.nebraska.gov/state-energy-information/energy-statistics/fuels/petroleum/nebraskas-proven-crude-oil-reserves
• Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment proposes Class I operating permit for Don Henry Power Center in Hastings.
[Don Henry Power Center] https://dwee.nebraska.gov/news-events/public-notices/don-henry-power-center
News: Nebraska grapples with warmest, driest drought on record (Nebraska Examiner) https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/27/nebraska-grapples-with-warmest-driest-drought-on-record/
News: US Energy secretary, visiting Iowa, says data centers will drive energy production (Nebraska Examiner) https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/25/repub/us-energy-secretary-visiting-iowa-says-data-centers-will-drive-energy-production/
Wisconsin
Governor Evers delivers radio address on clean energy economy and launches Earth Week climate resources.
• Governor Evers delivers radio address highlighting efforts to build 21st-century clean energy economy and workforce, including nuclear power and clean energy goals.
[Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address, Highlights Efforts to Build a 21st-Century Clean Energy Economy and Workforce] https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/Newsroom/Press-Releases/021219-Gov-Evers-Announces-Plan-to-Join-U-S--Climate-Alliance.aspx
• Wisconsin Department of Health Services launches new online resources to help residents handle climate change impacts during Earth Week.
[Gov. Evers Highlights New Online Resources During Earth Week] https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/climate/mental-health.htm
• Governor Evers wraps up statewide Earth Week tour highlighting administration's climate crisis response and natural resource protection work.
[Gov. Evers Celebrates Earth Week, Highlights Continued Work to Protect Wisconsin's Natural Resources] email://WI/press_release/c9ee470fe9015261
News: Dane Co. judge dismisses youth climate lawsuit (Wisconsin Examiner) https://wisconsinexaminer.com/briefs/dane-co-judge-dismisses-youth-climate-lawsuit/
Regional Context
The Midwest faces growing tensions between clean energy advancement and political resistance. Michigan's GOP-controlled House moves to repeal clean energy mandates while Wisconsin's Governor Evers promotes nuclear and renewable development. Illinois advances energy storage procurement while Nebraska confronts record drought conditions that underscore climate vulnerability. Data centers emerge as a major energy demand driver across the region, with utilities warning of capacity strains. Several states address infrastructure resilience through dam safety and maritime strategies.
— Bills to repeal Michigan's clean energy mandate advanced by GOP-controlled House committee https://michiganadvance.com/2026/04/28/bills-to-repeal-michigans-clean-energy-mandate-advanced-by-gop-controlled-house-committee/
— Energy demand in ComEd territory could double by 2040, in part driven by data centers https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/energy-demand-in-comed-territory-could-double-by-2040-in-part-driven-by-data-centers/
— IPA Reminders and Updates email://IL/press_release/8e53bb4adc89bca7
— Nebraska grapples with warmest, driest drought on record https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/04/27/nebraska-grapples-with-warmest-driest-drought-on-record/