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)

Dan has two decades' experience working in print, digital and broadcast media. Prior to joining the Energy News Network as managing editor in December 2017, he oversaw watchdog reporting at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA Today Network, and before that spent several years as a freelance journalist covering energy, business and technology. Dan is a former Midwest Energy News journalism fellow and a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.