CLIMATE:
• A new study projects a possible decline in global carbon emissions. (Climate Central)
• A Michigan Tech study finds adopting renewable energy could shield companies from climate-related lawsuits. (Michigan Tech News)
• A Wisconsin county approves funding for its climate action plan. (Badger Herald)

OHIO: Merchant generators lead opposition to a proposed “bailout” for an Ohio utility’s power plants. (RTO Insider)

***SPONSORED LINK: Rocky Mountain Institute’s e-Lab Accelerator is calling on America’s most innovative teams at the forefront of the electricity transformation looking to take projects to the next level. See if your project is eligible for this invitation-only event April 24—27. ***

SOLAR:
• Two years into a state inquiry on energy policy, no news is good news for Iowa net metering supporters. (Midwest Energy News)
• A bipartisan coalition fights to preserve solar rates in Michigan. (Detroit News)
• Plans progress for Michigan’s largest solar array, a 20 MW project proposed in Lansing. (Lansing State Journal)

UTILITIES:
• Advocates are cautiously optimistic about a Wisconsin utility’s plan to forego a planned fixed charge request and expand renewable energy. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Minnesota utility moves forward with plans to build a new natural gas plant as part of its transition away from coal. (Forum News Service)
• A new nonprofit pushes for competitive bidding on new power plants in Michigan. (MLive)

WIND:
• A Norwegian developer signs an agreement to build a proposed Lake Erie offshore wind farm. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• How rate guarantees for Ohio coal plants could boost wind energy. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

OIL AND GAS: Despite low prices, Ohio oil and gas production has surpassed the previous year. (Columbus Business First)

POLITICS: Ethanol and other farm-related issues are holding less political leverage in this year’s campaign. (McClatchy)

GRID: MISO proposes a two-season capacity market to address problems that led to a recent price spike in Illinois. (RTO Insider)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Grid Modernization Forum, January 19-20 in Chicago is a focused industry conference examining the integration of renewables, energy storage, microgrids, engaging the customer, and key regulatory issues.  Enter “ME-News” when registering for 10% off.  ***

EFFICIENCY: An Iowa electrical supplier is expanding its operations with a focus on commercial lighting technology. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COMMENTARY: Clean Power Plan goals are unlikely to be reached without nuclear power. (Transmission & Distribution World)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.

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