PIPELINES: On his first day in office, President Biden cancels a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which had already halted construction in anticipation of the move. (Inside Climate News, Associated Press)
ALSO:
• A Keystone XL pipeline official says in an internal company email that 1,000 jobs would be cut in the coming weeks. (E&E News, subscription)
• Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds: “We are disappointed but acknowledge the president’s decision to fulfill his election campaign promise on Keystone XL.” (New York Times)
• Pipeline critics and activists express widespread joy after years of challenging the project. (Lincoln Journal Star)
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EFFICIENCY: Two key lawmakers in Minnesota’s divided legislature seek to advance energy efficiency legislation in a session likely to be dominated by the state’s pandemic response. (Energy News Network)
OVERSIGHT: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine asks a nominating council to provide a new list of potential candidates to fill a vacancy on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)
COAL: The large and relatively new Prairie State coal plant in southern Illinois poses a challenge to President Biden’s carbon-free electricity goal. (Chicago Tribune)
CLIMATE: President Biden signs an executive order on his first day in office to have the U.S. rejoin the Paris climate agreement. (NPR)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• North Dakota lawmakers seek to create a $25 million fund to help spur clean energy investments and a committee to vet potential projects. (Inforum)
• Ohio clean energy advocates hope the Biden administration will help speed the state’s transition from coal to renewable energy. (WXVU)
WIND:
• Developers are gauging landowner interest in a potential 600 MW wind project in northern Kansas. (Washington County News)
• Construction was recently completed on a 155 MW wind project in eastern South Dakota. (WXOW)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ann Arbor, Michigan, officials unanimously approve an ordinance requiring electric vehicle charging stations at new developments. (MLive)
CARBON CAPTURE: North Dakota lawmakers consider legislation that would create a tax exemption for coal and ethanol plant operators that store their carbon emissions underground. (Bismarck Tribune)
BIOFUELS: The U.S. EPA granted three biofuel blending waivers to oil refiners as one of former President Trump’s final moves in office, which critics say doesn’t follow federal law or recent court decisions. (Reuters)
COMMENTARY:
• Clean energy advocates want Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to prioritize transit spending that addresses climate change in his next budget. (MinnPost)
• Public utility commission chairs in Illinois and Wisconsin join eight others from across the U.S. in calling for stronger state-federal electricity regulatory relationships. (Utility Dive)