By Lydia Larsen for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration The Green Energy Justice Cooperative recently placed first, second and fourth in the Illinois Power Agency s second round of community-driven community solar project selection. Being selected for this solar development program, made possible through the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, represents an important step in developing and building clean energy projects in Illinois communities. The co-op, founded by environmental justice group Blacks in Green and local partners, is now applying for renewable energy credits totaling $12.5 million. .
Questions from members of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday seemed to suggest the majority won t boot former President Donald Trump from Colorado s November ballot or allow other Democratic-leaning states such as New Mexico to do so. David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, said he believes the justices will base their decision on whether one state can disqualify a candidate seeking national office. .
Florida s Community Health Centers are raising concerns about their own financial health due to what they ve said are inadequate Medicaid reimbursement rates. The centers are urging lawmakers to adjust the rates to cover what they ve found to be a gap of $106, or just over 42%, for every Medicaid patient visit. Bradley Herremans, CEO of Suncoast Community Health Centers in Hillsborough County, said filling the funding gap could enable them to expand services and even open new clinics, while failure to do so would force them to curtail or close some services, disproportionately affecting low-income populations. .
A North Dakota lawmaker is calling into question a state law change that drew a lot of attention this week. At issue is a regulatory decision for a planned underground pipeline to store carbon dioxide. North Dakota s Public Service Commission said local ordinances to set route restrictions for such of projects are preempted by state rules. .
Despite the common belief that electric vehicles are more expensive than gas-powered cars, the latest findings say EVs can actually save their drivers money over time. The "Driving Change" report, from groups including the Environmental Defense Fund, analyzed the vehicle s initial cost plus fuel, insurance and maintenance over 10 years, using Georgia-specific data. According to Alex Wall, senior advisor for clean-energy campaigns for the advocacy group Climate Power, the savings could exceed $20,000 after a decade, along with creating environmental benefits. .