Midwest Energy News

Judge dismisses lawsuit against Illinois coal ash sites

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COAL ASH: A federal judge dismisses an environmental group’s lawsuit against Dynegy coal ash pits in Illinois on jurisdictional grounds. (Champaign News-Gazette)

UTILITIES:
• A rural environmental group says Minnesota electric cooperatives don’t provide information on their websites about where their power comes from. (Energy News Network)
• An Xcel Energy official discusses the challenges and value of resource planning as more renewable energy comes online. (Daily Energy Insider)

***SPONSORED LINK: Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change. “A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” – Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.

Midwest Energy News

Study: Renewables can meet most of Minnesota power needs by 2050

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RENEWABLES: Minnesota can economically get 70 percent of its power from wind, solar and renewables by 2050, according to a state-commissioned study. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

STORAGE: A new approach to improve grid resiliency involves using battery storage and other “non-wire alternatives” to provide backup power during outages. (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change. “A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” – Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz. Use “CLIMATE” for 25% discount.***

WIND:
• A lawsuit over Ohio’s wind setbacks centers on whether various stakeholders had a chance to be heard before stricter terms were adopted in a last-minute budget bill amendment in 2014.

Midwest Energy News

Farmers, wind industry group challenge Ohio setback restrictions

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EFFICIENCY: A voluntary program in St. Paul, Minnesota, to reduce energy use in buildings finds more outreach is needed toward small-building owners. (Energy News Network)

WIND:
• Ohio farmers and a wind industry group sue the state of Ohio, alleging a 2014 law with restrictive wind setback rules violates the state constitution. (Paulding Progress)
• A northern Ohio school board votes unanimously to oppose the planned Seneca Wind project. (Toledo Blade)

***SPONSORED LINK: Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change.

Midwest Energy News

Ohio utility announces 5-year, $33 billion spending plan

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UTILITIES: AEP announces a $33 billion spending plan over the next five years that focuses on distribution, transmission and renewable energy. (Columbus Business First)

ALSO:
• A western Michigan utility considers next steps as it moves toward replacing a coal-fired power plant with natural gas or market purchases. (Holland Sentinel)
• A new report offers 10 market reform options for regulated utilities as their traditional business model is challenged. (Utility Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change. “A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” – Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.

Midwest Energy News

Michigan legislation could bolster Line 5 tunnel plan

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PIPELINES: A Michigan lawmaker introduces legislation to secure a plan to build a tunnel for the Line 5 pipeline, though the project is opposed by the incoming governor and attorney general. (Detroit News)

ALSO:
• Tribes in the path of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline say they will continue to fight the project after a favorable court ruling last week. (NPR)
• Climate advocates hope to use the “necessity defense” in efforts around the U.S. to close oil and gas pipelines. (Wired)

***SPONSORED LINK: Designing Climate Solutions provides a valuable toolkit for policymakers committed to timely mitigation of climate change. “A small portfolio of proven policies, applied in a small number of countries, can yield enormous progress.” – Former DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz.