PIPELINES: Ohio’s secretary of state has nixed a ballot initiative from citizens seeking to stop a proposed pipeline across northern Ohio and southeast Michigan, saying it violates Ohio’s constitution. (Toledo Blade)

BUSINESS: A Minnesota nonprofit clean-energy incubator will have resources to expand after partnering with the University of St. Thomas. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join us at the 14th annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fair, August 22 & 23, 2015, at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, Illinois. Speakers, exhibits, children’s activities, music, food.***

GRID: Officials in Midwest states say their regional grid operator is failing to look out for the interests of ratepayers. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

SOLAR:
• A moderate Republican lawmaker from Kansas thinks the state should be doing more to grow rooftop solar in the state. (Lawrence Journal-World)
An Iowa utility’s shift on net metering should benefit public-sector solar projects. (The Gazette)
A Michigan brewery lands a $35,000 federal grant to help pay for a solar installation at its production facility. (Associated Press)
Western Michigan University moves forward with an agreement with Consumers Energy to build a 10-acre solar garden. (MLive)

MICHIGAN:
• Federal regulations are driving changes in West Michigan’s energy system. (MLive)
Statewide, officials disagree on how to meet electric needs in the face of several coal-plant retirements. (News-Herald)

WIND: A major development in northwest Iowa is a boon to the local economy as temporary workers fill the area. (Sioux City Journal)

OIL AND GAS:
A proposed North Dakota ethane pipeline would help the state’s market and feed Canadian demand. (Bismarck Tribune)
The percentage of North Dakota oil shipped by rail has dipped below 50 percent for the first time in several years. (Associated Press)

LANDFILLS: The Obama administration has announced new rules for limiting methane emissions and other pollutants at landfills. (Associated Press)

AWARD: Consumers Energy recognizes Michigan International Speedway for its commitment to renewable energy and efficiency. (MLive)

CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Wisconsin is among 10 states that would have to make the steepest cuts in emissions. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
States looking to halt the plan want their request before a federal circuit court that could be favorable to their goals. (Greenwire)
While an extended timeframe for compliance could help utilities, meeting goals will still be a challenge for the power sector. (ClimateWire)

EFFICIENCY:
• Iowa’s largest utility is planning for a widespread shift to LEDs for its streetlights. (Radio Iowa)
For new standards on household furnaces, costs for consumers are at the center of the debate. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

COAL: Ohio-based Murray Energy expands its coal business by purchasing a Colombia-based company. (Trib Total Media)

TRANSMISSION: A proposed transmission line between Iowa and Wisconsin has drawn opposition from some local officials while others are taking a wait-and-see approach. (Telegraph Herald)

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CLIMATE:
• Plans for developed nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030 fall far short of recommendations made by a United Nations panel. (Reuters)
Ohio is the epicenter of climate change policy and action. (Toledo Blade)

COMMENTARY:
• The health impacts of nuclear plants go far beyond radiation exposure, which include the mental impacts of living in fear. (MinnPost)
• The Clean Power Plan is a win for Ohio’s health issues — the onus is now on lawmakers to craft a meaningful compliance plan. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

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