PIPELINES: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will allow the Dakota Access oil pipeline to continue operating without a federal permit as the agency conducts a new environmental review for the project. (National Native News)

ALSO: Pending legislation in Minnesota and at least five other states targets pipeline protesters by increasing penalties for trespassing near energy infrastructure such as the Line 3 pipeline. (Inside Climate News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Renew Missouri for its webinar “The Deep Freeze: SPP, Texas, and What to Do (and Not Do) in the Future” with Kevin Gunn of Paladin Energy on April 26th at 1:30pm. Only $75 with an hour of Missouri CLE credit. (KS pending. Others by request.) Sign up today! *** 

SOLAR:
• Michigan solar advocates make a new push to eliminate a cap that limits distributed energy to 1% of utilities’ peak load. (Energy News Network)
• A division of Duke Energy plans to build a 175-megawatt solar farm near Terre Haute, Indiana, with construction slated to start in 2023. (Associated Press)
• Industry and elected officials hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Iowa’s largest solar farm, a 128 MW facility southwest of the Quad Cities. (Hawk Eye) 

GRID:
• The contested Grant Belt Express transmission line project could have helped mitigate February’s electricity crisis, an expert says, but a Missouri bill under consideration could make it nearly impossible to build. (Kansas City Star)
• Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signs a bill that will require electric utilities to take more steps before using eminent domain for transmission lines. (WIBW)

COAL:
• The North Dakota Legislature hears several bills designed to support the state’s coal industry, including tax relief and funding for carbon capture. (InForum)
• On the anniversary of a botched smokestack demolition that sent a cloud of coal dust and debris over Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, residents held a march and vigil demanding jobs and environmental justice. (CBS Chicago)  

POLICY:
• A Sierra Club organizer says North Dakota lawmakers’ fixation on fossil fuels puts the state at risk of being left behind as renewable energy takes off. (Devils Lake Journal)
• Southern Illinois utilities say a major clean energy bill as it is written “does not work for downstate” and could increase costs for customers. (WICS/WRSP) 

OIL & GAS: Small business owners in an Ohio community say they have benefited from the area’s natural gas industry, and they worry what a transition to clean energy will mean for them. (Times Recorder)

RENEWABLES: Columbus, Ohio, begins notifying residents about changes to the city’s default electricity supplier, which will begin relying on 100% renewable energy in June unless customers opt out. (WOSU) 

HYDROPOWER: A 2.5 MW hydroelectric plant under construction in South Bend, Indiana, is expected to start generating power for the University of Notre Dame later this year. (South Bend Tribune)

WIND: In Michigan, local officials in Pine and Winfield townships field questions from residents who oppose wind turbine development. (Daily News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A suburban Twin Cities climate group will host an online forum Tuesday to promote the benefits of electric school buses. (Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: What does the future hold as the U.S. accelerates its transition to clean energy? Join the Energy News Network on April 22 for a conversation about what’s next for coal country. Register today!***

CLIMATE: The University of Northern Iowa will host a webinar Wednesday to discuss local solutions to climate change. (Courier)

COMMENTARY:
• Rep. Ilhan Omar and tribal attorney Tara Houska urge President Biden to take action to stop the Line 3 pipeline project in Minnesota. (CNN)
• More than 40 civil rights, labor, environmental, and community groups sign a letter calling on Illinois lawmakers to reject a bill that would enhance criminal penalties for minor offenses near fossil fuel infrastructure. (NRDC)