OHIO:
• In additional filings with state regulators over two utility income-guarantee requests, grid operator PJM says the plans are “inconsistent” with the competitive electric market, while Dynegy says it can offer a better deal for ratepayers. (Midwest Energy News)
AEP and FirstEnergy dismiss Dynegy’s proposal, saying it “misses the point.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

WIND: Developers of the Rock Island Clean Line transmission project are dealt another setback by Iowa regulators, putting the future of the $2 billion attempt to move wind energy from Iowa to Illinois in jeopardy. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join more than 600 innovators and decision-makers February 24-26 in Chicago for the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. With live demonstrations, insightful panels and unparalleled networking, MES 2016 is a can’t-miss conference. Register today!*** 

RATES: Advocates are criticizing plans by a Minnesota utility to lower rates for struggling industrial customers while raising them for residents. (Midwest Energy News)

NUCLEAR: The Wisconsin Assembly approves lifting the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plants; the legislation now heads to the state Senate. (Associated Press)

NATURAL GAS: Experts say flaring of the world’s natural gas supply has remained constant at around 3.5 percent for several years. (Nature Magazine)

COAL:
• The U.S. House approves a bill to block President Obama’s new stream-protection rules. (Associated Press)
While U.S. coal generation will still exceed gas in 2015, low natural gas prices have sped up the transition, according to new EIA data. (Utility Dive)
Michigan State University is ahead of schedule in eliminating its coal use and transitioning to natural gas. (The State News)

SOLAR: One Minnesota town wants to place its community solar project in a prominent location in order to showcase it for visitors. (Pioneer Press)

IOWA: Gov. Terry Branstad touts the state’s diversified energy mix in his annual Condition of the State speech. (Radio Iowa)

OIL AND GAS:
• The slump in oil prices is leading to tens of thousands of job losses in the U.S. from major companies to suppliers and contractors. (Associated Press)
Oil prices are projected to continue their downward trend. (Associated Press)

MICHIGAN: The state Senate leader says updating Michigan’s energy policy is one of his two top priorities in 2016. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join dynamic CEO Mary Powell of Green Mountain Power, renewables thought leader James Tong, Wisconsin utilities, and renewable industry experts for “Shaping the Utility of the Future,” Thursday, January 21st in Madison, Wisconsin. ***

BANKRUPTCY:
• Arch Coal has broad lender support for a plan to cut $4.5 billion in debt as part of its bankruptcy proceeding. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
As the value of Arch Coal continued to decline, the company’s CEO got a multi-million-dollar raise. (DeSmog Blog)
A series of unfavorable market conditions led to Arch Coal’s decline in recent years. (EnergyWire)

FUEL CELLS: Some large automakers are still hoping hydrogen-powered cars offer a promising future. (Michigan Radio) 

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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