COAL: While mining has become exponentially safer in recent decades, experts say a troubling number of black lung cases persist in Appalachia and Illinois coal mining regions. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: Environmental advocates in Northwest Indiana hope to force the complete removal of coal ash from a Michigan City coal plant where it’s contaminating groundwater and could be released into Lake Michigan. (Energy News Network)
PIPELINES: Minnesota officials are investigating a spill of drilling fluid into a river last week during Line 3 pipeline construction. (MPR News)
SOLAR:
• Wisconsin Republicans introduce legislation to expand community solar, though utilities in the state are strongly opposed. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Supporters of a large-scale solar project in Ohio seek to debunk misconceptions local officials have stirred up regarding the proposal. (LimaOhio.com)
• An Indiana county’s draft solar energy ordinance includes a provision that guarantees nearby property values wouldn’t be harmed by future projects. (Herald Bulletin)
• Developers submit plans for a 640-acre solar project in western Iowa. (KWWL)
• Consumers Energy plans to build a 1.5-acre solar array to power a natural gas compressor station in southern Michigan. (Sturgis Journal)
WIND:
• County officials in northern Iowa are told to seek outside counsel ahead of potential legal action from a developer over proposed wind energy restrictions and an ongoing moratorium. (Globe Gazette)
• A separate dispute is playing out farther south in Iowa as MidAmerican Energy sues a county over “arbitrary” new wind ordinance restrictions that would block a proposed project. (WOI-TV)
• A southeastern Michigan company uses drones and other automation to inspect wind turbines for preventative maintenance meant to avoid unplanned downtime. (MiBiz)
OHIO: A federal bankruptcy judge gives attorneys three more months to provide details about the millions of dollars they billed for lobbying efforts on behalf of FirstEnergy for the state’s power plant bailout law. (Associated Press)
GRID: Grid operator MISO says in a recent analysis that transportation, building and industrial electrification pose a threat to system reliability, though experts say the report ignores the potential of energy storage and ongoing state planning. (Utility Dive)
EMISSIONS: A group representing Midwest industrial companies including major utilities asks a federal appeals court to review a rule that limits how much ozone states can contribute to downwind states. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
OIL & GAS: North Dakota’s trust fund for oil taxes has higher-than-anticipated revenues based on a rebounding economy and an improved stock market. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• A new Ohio law giving more local authority over wind and solar projects is a favor to the fossil fuel industry and ignores the free market, an editorial board writes. (Chronicle-Telegram)
• The leader of a Wisconsin faith-based organization pushing for clean energy joins calls for a federal infrastructure plan that prioritizes climate action. (Wisconsin Examiner)