Energy Secretary Granholm Visits Michigan Solar Maker as Ohio's HB6 Scandal Unfolds
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will visit a significant Michigan manufacturer of solar panel components to emphasize the domestic clean energy industry. Meanwhile, in Ohio, the House Bill 6 scandal continues, with former FirstEnergy President and CEO Charles E. 'Chuck' Jones playing a central role.
Granholm's visit comes as part of the Biden administration's push to promote clean energy jobs and manufacturing. The Michigan manufacturer, which will remain unnamed, is a substantial player in the domestic solar industry, employing hundreds of workers.
In Ohio, the House Bill 6 scandal, which involved the payment of over $60 million to secure legislation benefiting FirstEnergy, is still under investigation. Jones, who was not personally charged, was instrumental in approving and overseeing the payments to the 'dark money group', Generation Now, controlled by then-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder. The scandal led to Jones' dismissal in 2020, along with several other top executives. Householder was later convicted, and FirstEnergy was fined $230 million.
In other energy news, the Indiana Supreme Court has overturned part of a Duke Energy rate increase, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has restricted the state's consumer advocate from subpoenaing an auditor, and North Dakota has received $2.8 million in federal funding for coal mine reclamation. A solar project in Illinois is back on track, and a federal judge ended a hearing after a FirstEnergy attorney refused to disclose a senior executive's name involved in bribe payments. A southwestern Chicago suburb has joined a community solar program, and Indiana has passed a bill making it harder for homeowners associations to prohibit solar panels. Electric truck startup Rivian reported a $4.7 billion net loss in 2021 due to supply chain delays.
Granholm's visit to Michigan underscores the administration's commitment to clean energy manufacturing and job creation. In Ohio, the House Bill 6 scandal continues to unfold, with former FirstEnergy executives facing scrutiny. Meanwhile, various developments in energy policy and projects are shaping the future of the industry across the country.
