CLEAN POWER PLAN: Several Midwest states join more than a dozen others to challenge the new federal rules in court. (WISC-TV)

OIL AND GAS:
• A new analysis casts doubt on earlier optimistic projections by the industry and the state about oil and gas production in Ohio. (Midwest Energy News)
• Critics say a North Dakota panel made up of the state’s top officials continues to relax rules over natural gas flaring in favor of the industry. (Associated Press)

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NUCLEAR:
• The Department of Energy cancels plans to ship nuclear waste to an Idaho facility from other states. (Reuters)
• Decommissioned plants in Wisconsin and Illinois are among several in the country that have been using funds designated for their eventual dismantling to build waste storage on-site. (Associated Press)

WIND:
• Xcel Energy expects long-term contracts for wind power to beat out natural gas on price. (Bloomberg News)
• Wind developers in Iowa move their project to a different town where local approval was more timely. (Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier)
• A prominent and early wind developer in Michigan is recognized by a sustainable business organization. (MLive)

POLLUTION: Officials suspect a sunken barge at the bottom of Lake Erie that has been there since 1937 could leak up to 4,700 barrels of petroleum. (MLive)

RATES: Wisconsin is unique in continuously approving higher fixed rates for utilities as a way to recoup revenue. (LaCrosse Tribune)

COAL:
• A Lower Michigan coal plant will need to stay open under a System Support Resource agreement due to concerns by the grid operator over reliability. (Coldwater Daily Reporter)
• Locals appear unconcerned about strip mining for coal returning to a scenic valley in Ohio. (Al Jazeera)
• Advocates in Illinois are once again pushing for a severance tax on coal production to help compensate local governments for the costs of operations. (Southern Illinoisan)
• Experts say a new report on the benefits of coal being published by the IEA is “deeply confused and deeply misleading.” (The Guardian)

RELIABILITY: Ohio’s largest winter resort files a complaint against its utility for what it says is a “lack of adequate service” that’s negatively impacting the business. (Columbus Business First)

SOLAR: Nebraska farmers are increasingly turning to small-scale solar installations to offset costs. (Lincoln Journal Star)

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TRANSMISSION: ITC Midwest is installing protective devices around power lines in Iowa to prevent eagle deaths. (The Gazette)

COMMENTARY:
• Ohio lawmakers are using the Clean Power Plan as a scapegoat to not “roll up their sleeves” on clean energy and efficiency. (NRDC Switchboard)
• Organized labor advocates say the Clean Power Plan is an opportunity to become energy independent, reduce pollution and drive job growth. (MinnPost)

CORRECTION: An item in Friday’s digest incorrectly said AEP is looking for a long-term power-purchase agreement for coal and nuclear plants in Ohio. The utility does not operate any nuclear plants in the state.