WIND: Critics say Kansas legislation to increase setback requirements for wind projects would jeopardize future investment in the state. (KSNT, Kansas Reflector)

CLEAN ENERGY: A state House committee advances legislation seeking to build clean energy projects in downstate Illinois and provide electric vehicle incentives. (Alton Telegraph)

EFFICIENCY: The repeal of Ohio’s energy efficiency standards could cost ratepayers billions of dollars, according to an analysis by environmental groups. (Energy News Network)

PIPELINES: Ohio and Louisiana seek to intervene in a federal court case over the future of the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan. (Detroit News)

CLIMATE: Indiana’s attorney general files a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to stop what he says is California’s attempt to set national climate policy. (Indianapolis Star)

UTILITIES: FirstEnergy hires a new ethics and compliance officer as the utility remains under investigation over its alleged role in the state’s power plant bailout law. (Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Michigan regulators approve the second phase of DTE Energy’s electric vehicle pilot program that will be in place through 2025. (dBusiness)

SOLAR: The U.S. solar market had its largest installation year to date in 2020 while strong growth is expected to continue in 2021. (PV Magazine)

STORAGE: Clean energy advocates and some utilities object to grid operator MISO’s request to delay plans for eliminating barriers to energy storage participating in wholesale markets. (S&P Global)

OIL & GAS:
• Kansas City International Airport’s natural gas bill in February spiked to $2.4 million — 30 times higher than what it typically pays — due to demand from its Texas supplier. (Fox 4 KC)
• North Dakota budget officials expect higher oil and gas revenues over the next two years based on stable prices and production. (Associated Press)

NUCLEAR: A Michigan state senator is named to a national nuclear power working group to advise on power and waste management policies. (Daily Telegram)

COAL: Iowa legislators seek to remove an outdated state law that required local governments to buy coal produced in the state when mining was active there. (Radio Iowa)

EMISSIONS: Low natural gas prices, waning renewable subsidies and nuclear plant retirements may cause electric utility emission reductions to flatline in the coming years, analysts say. (E&E News, subscription)

COMMENTARY:
• Declining technology costs and an increasingly clean electric grid are making building decarbonization more feasible in the Midwest, advocates say. (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• A Detroit-based co-founder of the Sunrise Movement says lifting the statewide cap on rooftop solar program participation would deliver energy justice to more residents. (Crain’s Detroit Business)

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.