Midwest Energy News

Enbridge again leads political lobbying in Minnesota

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RENEWABLES: A new Illinois bill would increase the state’s renewable portfolio standard and let utilities raise rates to pay for needed investments to support the goal. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Clean energy advocates are disappointed that the mayor of Fort Wayne, Indiana, hasn’t called for Indiana Michigan Power to increase its renewable energy portfolio. (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Midwest Renewable Energy Summit, April 16-18 in Chicago to connect with the entire Midwest renewable energy community. Get the latest insights into the market and explore how changing economics and the coming PTC expiration will affect solar and wind. Register today!***

POLITICS: Enbridge spent $11 million in 2018 — more than double the year before — on lobbying Minnesota regulators in support of the Line 3 pipeline project.

Midwest Energy News

Iowa lawmakers advance fee for solar customers

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SOLAR: The Iowa Senate passes a bill that would add a new fee for most utility customers with solar panels. (Radio Iowa)

ALSO:
• A developer says snow build-up on solar panels can temporarily reduce production but it is not a major hindrance. (Energy News Network)
• Wisconsin’s Dairyland Power Cooperative finalizes a power purchase agreement to buy 149 MW of solar capacity. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Rural electric cooperatives have sharply increased their solar capacity in recent years as they transition from coal contracts. (E&E News, subscription)
• Plans move forward for a 25 MW solar project at a northwestern Illinois industrial park.

Midwest Energy News

Judge blocks Keystone XL construction amid environmental review

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: ComEd prepares to expand an electric vehicle ride-sharing pilot program as the utility researches how it can benefit the local grid. (Energy News Network)

POLICY:
• A broad proposal in Ohio to slash state regulations by 30 percent across the board could further tilt the playing field against renewable energy by relaxing rules on utilities and fossil fuels. (Energy News Network)
• Multiple Midwest governors join other states in setting strong emission-reduction goals. (Bloomberg)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Midwest Renewable Energy Summit, April 16-18 in Chicago to connect with the entire Midwest renewable energy community. Get the latest insights into the market and explore how changing economics and the coming PTC expiration will affect solar and wind.

Midwest Energy News

Wisconsin utility rejects shareholder call for clean energy plan

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UTILITIES: Madison Gas & Electric objects to a shareholder resolution seeking a coal transition plan, which the SEC called an attempt to “micromanage” the utility. (Wisconsin State Journal)

ACTIVISM:
• As students across the world plan climate strikes today, polling suggests most Ohio adults agree with youth activists’ call for climate action and a transition to clean energy. (Energy News Network)
• A United Nations representative and key architect of the Paris climate agreement tells University of Michigan students to maintain “stubborn optimism.” (MLive)

***SPONSORED LINK: Network and learn about cutting-edge energy topics at Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council’s 7th Annual Member Meeting. Google’s Vince Faherty to keynote. April 23 in East Lansing, MI.

Midwest Energy News

Nuclear bailouts tougher in shale country

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POWER PLANTS:
• Bailing out nuclear plants faces a tougher test in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania where they compete with natural gas. (Bloomberg)
• U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry says the federal government is still considering a support package for at-risk coal and nuclear plants, but encourages states to devise their own programs. (Utility Dive)

GRID: Critics say an Indiana bill gives utilities a “blank check” for grid modernization projects. (Indianapolis Star)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council for its 7th Annual Member Meeting, featuring cutting-edge energy topics including the convergence of distributed technologies and new load growth. April 23 in East Lansing, MI. Register today!***

RENEWABLES:
• Kansas and Iowa rank among the top places in the world getting the largest share of power from renewables.