OIL AND GAS: As oil and gas prices have fallen, Michigan officials turn to taxpayers to fund an oversight program that has traditionally been paid for by the industry. (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO:
• North Dakota legislators approve a measure meant to clarify the ownership rights of minerals in a Missouri River reservoir. (Associated Press)
• Energy Transfer Partners spills almost 50,000 barrels of drilling fluids into Ohio wetlands while constructing a $4.2 billion natural gas pipeline. (Bloomberg)
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CLEAN ENERGY: A report ranking states according to their clean energy “momentum” places Iowa in the top ten. (Midwest Energy News)
WIND: Wind power represents more than 80 percent of the new electricity generating capacity built in the Midwest and Great Plains states over the past five years. (Midwest Energy News)
SOLAR:
• Solar panels are becoming increasingly common among Minnesota school districts, though they are mostly limited to Xcel Energy’s service territory. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• Developers are increasingly approaching Illinois farmers about leasing land for solar projects. (Illinois Farmer Today)
• A popular bar in Dayton, Ohio is installing a rooftop solar project:“Over time, the savings really add up.” (Dayton Daily News)
PIPELINES: More than 90 landowners in Nebraska continue fighting to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, which would run through their properties. (Reuters)
CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan’s new energy laws take effect today, removing the cap on how much utilities can spend on energy efficiency and renewable energy. (Michigan Radio)
COAL:
• Retired coal miners criticize President Trump’s silence on the possible end of federal health benefits: “He promised to help miners, not just mining companies.” (New York Times)
• Analysts say publicly traded coal companies are unlikely to spend on acquisitions or growth projects in the coming years, “and instead should distribute their earnings to shareholders.” (Platts)
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GRID:
• Ameren Illinois is making grid reliability investments while lowering rates. (Decatur Herald and Review)
• AEP Ohio is looking to increase fixed fees on customers to pay for infrastructure investments. (Parkersburg News & Sentinel)
COMMENTARY: The Toledo Blade says a bill to support nuclear generation with zero-emissions credits “only serves to artificially support one source of electricity in Ohio to the detriment of other energy sources.”