CLIMATE: A study by the Midwest’s grid operator says it will be more cost-effective for states to work together to cut carbon emissions, and White House officials acknowledge the limitations of the Clean Power Plan but say inaction is not an alternative. (EnergyWire, ClimateWire)
OHIO: A renewable energy supporter says the Ohio Senate is stacking the deck by appointing opponents of the state’s energy laws to a committee to study them. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
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COAL: Two U.S. Senators propose legislation to better protect miners suffering from black lung disease, a wildlife preserve is open to the public at a former North Dakota mining site, and an Ohio power plant is named among the dirtiest in the U.S. (ABC News, Bismarck Tribune, Columbus Business First)
EFFICIENCY: Proposed new standards for air conditioners could yield the most energy savings of any regulation to date. (The Hill)
SOLAR:
• A report finds school roofs could collectively add 5.4 gigawatts of solar capacity. (ThinkProgress)
• An Iowa county considers adding solar panels using the type of third-party arrangement recently OKed by the state Supreme Court. (Iowa City Press-Citizen)
• A Minnesota county approves new zoning rules for small solar projects. (Rochester Post-Bulletin)
• Why data analysis will be key for solar growth. (Greentech Media)
WIND: A new 112 megawatt wind farm in Michigan goes online, and Iowa State University gets a federal grant to study taller wind turbines. (ReNews, Iowa Environmental Focus)
OIL: Rail congestion could costs some farmers as much as $100,000 during this year’s harvest, and Enbridge officials discuss pipeline safety at a meeting in Minnesota. (WHO-TV, Brainerd Dispatch)
FRACKING: An industry economist says fracking has created “an entirely different vision of our energy future.” (MLive)
TRANSMISSION: Ohio regulators approve a plan to increase grid capacity to accommodate the shale boom. (Columbus Business First)
TRANSPORTATION: Ann Arbor officials say more people are using public electric vehicle chargers. (MLive)
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ACTIVISM: Minnesota faith communities are featured in Al Gore’s “Climate Reality” project, an an Indiana activist says climate action is a racial equality issue. (Midwest Energy News, Indianapolis Recorder)
COMMENTARY: Why Minnesota should control its energy future. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)