POLICY The International Trade Commission has ruled that solar cell imports from three countries injured domestic manufacturers. The commission issued a final affirmative injury determination Oct. 14 on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, assembled into modules or not, from India, Indonesia and Laos, ending a 15-month investigation. The Commerce Department issues antidumping and countervailing duty orders on Nov. 2, and Customs and Border Protection will then require final cash deposits on the cells and modules. Duties have been collected on these imports since the preliminary determinations earlier this year. The vote locks in the margins Commerce set last month. India draws a dumping margin of 123.04 percent for all producers and a countervailing rate of 126.09 percent. Indonesia draws 94.36 percent dumping and countervailing rates of 73.2 to 173.7 percent by supplier. Laos draws 65.43 percent dumping and countervailing rates of 82.03 to 153.67 percent. Combined rates reach 249 percent for India, 268 percent for Indonesia and 219 percent for Laos, and they stack on top of existing executive tariffs and the Section 232 minimum import price floors, which they do not replace. The Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, led by First Solar, Hanwha Qcells USA and Mission Solar Energy, petitioned in July 2025, alleging that manufacturers had moved operations to the three countries to escape tariffs already in place elsewhere. Orders now cover solar imports from nine countries, and Commerce has investigations open on Ethiopia and South Korea. The commission publishes its full report, investigation numbers 701-TA-772-774 and 731-TA-1756-1758, by Nov. 23.
Sources: Solar Power World, Oct. 14; pv magazine USA, Oct. 16
PROJECTS MnDOT is taking letters of interest for final design on 16.4 miles of Highway 61 in Cook County. The announcement posted Oct. 15 under Contract 1064419 and responses are due Nov. 5 at 2pm. The work covers a mill and overlay preservation from County State Aid Highway 14 to Reservation River Road, incorporating turn lanes and storm drainage improvements, with coordination with the Bridge office on deck resurfacing at Bridges 16001 and 16002. The scope of work identifies the job as State Project 1603-54 and sets letting for Dec. 5, 2029. The solicitation is open only to consultants pre-qualified in highway design level 3, temporary traffic control plan design level 2, and signing plan design level 2, and named on the project’s official list. MnDOT weights the work plan at 40 percent, project understanding at 35 percent, and responder experience and qualifications at 25 percent, and has set an 8.0 percent targeted group business goal. Questions close Oct. 21 at 2pm and answers post Oct. 23 at 2pm.
ENG Stakeholders at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation have approved reliability standards for data center loads. The organization said Thursday that the standards cover data centers, crypto mining facilities and other computational loads, and that as written they reach any computational load of 50 megawatts or more connected at voltages of 100 kilovolts or more. They now go to the NERC Board of Trustees, which is expected to consider them in the fourth quarter, and then to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The standards came out of Project 2026-02 and address interconnection studies and modeling, operational data and communications, and load protection coordination and disturbance monitoring. They build on a Level 3 alert NERC issued in May after several incidents in which data centers dropped load or swung demand rapidly. NERC forecasts summer peak demand on the bulk power system to grow 224 gigawatts over ten years, 24 percent above the 2025 peak.
Source: Utility Dive, Oct. 15
PROJECTS La Crescent has asked state regulators for a closer look at the Gopher to Badger Link transmission line. The city council voted unanimously on Oct. 12 for a resolution supporting continued review by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, including further environmental and public-health evaluation to protect the Driftless Area. The resolution questions whether more accurate studies are needed to determine the region’s future energy needs and whether the project would serve those of Houston County. The MariBell Transmission Project, a segment of the link, would exchange the existing 161-kilovolt line for a double circuit carrying a new 161-kilovolt line and a 765-kilovolt line on new steel lattice towers, running 140 miles through Houston, Fillmore, Mower and Olmsted counties in Minnesota and Crawford and Vernon counties in Wisconsin. It was first presented locally at the Nov. 18, 2025 Houston County Board of Commissioners meeting. The link sits in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 2.1, approved in 2024.
Source: hometownsource.com, Oct. 15
BIZ Input costs for new nonresidential construction rose 11.9 percent over the year to September. The Associated General Contractors of America, reading the producer price index released Oct. 15, called it the largest 12-month increase in four years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put final demand up 1.3 percent on the month, seasonally adjusted, after 0.5 percent in August and 0.2 percent in July, and up 6.3 percent over the 12 months ended in September. Final demand less foods, energy, and trade services rose 0.5 percent on the month and 5.0 percent over the same 12 months.
Sources: Associated General Contractors, Oct. 15; Bureau of Labor Statistics, producer price index, September 2026
PROJECTS Rebuilt Highway 212 bridge west of Plato is open. The crossing of Buffalo Creek west of County Road 9 opened by the end of the day Thursday, Oct. 15, with crews finishing remaining work. The project replaces two bridges to provide a smoother driving surface and extend their lifespans. Ames Construction is the contractor on the $5.7 million job. Work resumes in the spring of 2027.
Source: MnDOT, Oct. 15
FUNDING Projects already in the Capital Investment Grants pipeline would get no transition period under rewritten federal guidance. The Federal Transit Administration’s proposed policy guidance, published Oct. 1 at 91 FR 62586 under docket FTA-2026-0331, states that the final guidance takes effect immediately when it is posted on the agency’s website and that no grandfathering will be allowed for any project currently in the pipeline. Comments close Nov. 16. The guidance would change how the federal share of a project is calculated, adding 5 percent each for regions with birth or marriage rates at or above the national average, alongside adjustments for cost-effectiveness and congestion relief. A project rated low on cost effectiveness carries a negative 25 percent adjustment. Senator Patty Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the change would reach 40 projects already in the program and could force new ratings and cost-share requirements or cut the federal share below the 40 percent floor Congress has written into annual funding bills since 2020.
Sources: Federal Register, 91 FR 62586 (Oct. 1); Smart Cities Dive, Oct. 15
ENG The Minnesota Design Center has handed a South Minneapolis neighborhood group a traffic-calming plan for 36th Avenue. The University of Minnesota center studied the avenue from East Lake Street to 25th Street for 36th ART, a group formed by Longfellow and Seward residents in 2022, and focused on the intersection with 28th Street next to Hiawatha Collegiate High School. Researchers measured speeds with a radar gun on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9am and 3:30 to 4:30pm over two months. Average speeds ran above the posted 25 miles per hour, and maximum recorded speeds reached 49 miles per hour in the morning and 59 miles per hour in the evening. Neither street has dedicated crosswalks. The study recommends curb extensions, crosswalks and signage together with public-art elements including pollinator gardens, a sculpture, a mural, light-pole banners and a parklet. City officials told the neighborhood group in 2023 that the area was not a high priority for traffic enforcement. Minnesota Design Center director Thomas Fisher said the school asked the center to intervene after students crossing to a park met fast traffic.
Source: University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, Oct. 13
Final submissions and fees for ACEC Minnesota’s Engineering Excellence Awards are due Thursday, Oct. 29, with winning projects recognized at the Feb. 18, 2027 gala. The four-session Emerging Leaders program for early-career staff opens Oct. 22, and public sales are open for the Minnesota Transportation Conference.
State
MnDOT · Highway 13 regional traffic modeling (1064206) · due Oct. 20 at 2pm · Announcement
MnDOT · 20-year state highway investment plan update (1064276) · due Oct. 23 at 2pm · RFP
Minnesota Zoo · architecture design, Center for Wildlife Conservation (5135) · due Oct. 26 · MNBuys
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources · construction administration, Minnesota Valley Nine Mile (5151) · due Nov. 4 · MNBuys
State of Minnesota · north and northeast Minnesota source water assessment (5152) · due Nov. 4 · MNBuys
MnDOT · final design, Highway 61 from CSAH 14 to Reservation River Road (1064419) · due Nov. 5 at 2pm · Announcement
State Historic Preservation Office · Minnesota River cultural resources (5126 and 5131) · due Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 · MNBuys
State Historic Preservation Office · Roseau River cultural resources (5127 and 5132) · due Nov. 9 and Nov. 15 · MNBuys
MnDOT · general engineering consultant preconstruction services master contract (1263) · due Nov. 17 at 2pm · RFP
Higher education
University of Minnesota · Saint Paul residence hall architectural design (02-402-27-4235) · due Oct. 28 at 2pm · Bid opportunity
Regional
Metropolitan Council · Interceptor 1-MS-100 condition assessment (26P276) · pre-solicitation meeting Oct. 20 at 2pm · Notice
Counties
Washington County · CSAH 18 at CSAH 19 roundabout modification design · due Nov. 6 at 3pm · RFP
Cities
City of Hopkins · 2050 comprehensive plan public engagement · due Oct. 16 at 4:30pm · RFP
City of Foley · general municipal engineering services · due Oct. 28 at 4pm · RFP
City of Hutchinson · Safe Streets and Roads Action Plan · due Nov. 12 at 1pm · RFP
Airports
City of Maple Lake · airport engineering and planning services, Bill Mavencamp Sr. Field · due Oct. 26 · RFQ
Federal
USDA Forest Service · cultural resource evaluation and documentation, Watford City, North Dakota (1284LM27Q0001) · due Oct. 20 at 5pm · Combined synopsis
U.S. Army Reserve 88th Readiness Division · energy savings performance contract, Minnesota and Wisconsin facilities (SP060427R0400) · due Nov. 2 at 3pm eastern · Notice of opportunity
Anticipated
MnDOT · 76th Street at I-35W safety study, Richfield · verified Oct. 15 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge preservation design, SP 2735-212 · verified Oct. 14 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro bridge maintenance post-tensioning grout investigation scoping · verified Oct. 13 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 55 Golden Valley to Medina reconnecting communities study · verified Oct. 9 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · District 2 US 75 final design through Donaldson and Kennedy · verified Oct. 6 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro-wide utility potholing · verified Oct. 2 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · multi-award overhead sign structures and sign panels · verified Oct. 1 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · metro spot mobility implementation analysis and workplan · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · I-35E spot mobility · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Rethinking I-94 environmental impact statement contract, SP 6282-217 · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 61 Forest Lake pre-scoping · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 52, Highway 55 and County Road 42 phase 2 study · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 52 Lafayette Bridge alternatives analysis and preliminary design · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 95 southern Washington County corridor planning study · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · 2027 construction inspection, six consultant inspectors · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Robert Street construction administration, SP 6217-50 · verified Sept. 23 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 23 and I-94 Rockville interchange traffic safety and pre-design study · verified Sept. 11 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · US 169 Elk River to Princeton traffic safety pre-design study · verified Sept. 11 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · statewide active transportation planning and implementation assistance · verified Aug. 17 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · Highway 51 Snelling Avenue planning coordination and study · verified Aug. 4 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge construction manual development · verified July 30 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · carbon emissions tool project-level offset methodology · verified May 28 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · bridge management plans for the Mendota, Winona Truss and Third Avenue bridges · verified April 29 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · District 8 corridor study, SP 3411-97 · verified April 16 · Potential projects list
MnDOT · construction staging scoping assistance · verified Dec. 22, 2025 · Potential projects list
Minnesota
MnDOT · draft statewide Bicycle+ System Plan · comments close Oct. 23 · Notice
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency · Dem-Con Landfill airspace conversion final environmental impact statement (SW-290) · comments close Oct. 27 · Notice
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission · Granite City battery storage site permit application (ESS-26-248) · comments close Nov. 3 · Notice
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission · Castle Rock battery storage draft site permit (ESS-25-430) · comments close Nov. 4 at 4:30pm · Notice
Olmsted County and Rochester · South Branch Cascade Creek stream restoration environmental assessment worksheet · comments close Nov. 5 · Notice
City of Buffalo · Buffalo downtown redevelopment environmental assessment worksheet · comments close Nov. 12 · Notice
Federal
FAR Council · FAR Case 2026-010, architect-engineer and construction contracting · comments close Oct. 19 · Notice
Federal Highway Administration · Georgia environmental review responsibilities · comments close Nov. 2 · Notice
USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service · Rural Energy for America Program final rule · comments close Nov. 2 · Notice
General Services Administration · GSAR Case 2026-G502, utility services · comments close Nov. 4 · Notice
Environmental Protection Agency · initial designations for the 2024 annual fine particulate standard · comments close Nov. 5 · Notice
Federal Emergency Management Agency · elevation and floodproofing certificate collection · comments close Nov. 6 · Notice
Homeland Security · optional practical training fees · comments close Nov. 9 · Notice
Homeland Security · removing deference to prior USCIS determinations of eligibility · comments close Nov. 13 · Notice
Federal Transit Administration · proposed Capital Investment Grants policy guidance · comments close Nov. 16 · Notice
Environmental Protection Agency · greenhouse gas reporting deadline extension for reporting year 2025 · comments close Nov. 30 · Notice
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