NUCLEAR: Exelon proposes a new utility bill surcharge for its Illinois power plants, as mayors of Illinois towns write letters to lawmakers encouraging them to support the plants. (Crain’s Chicago Business, Bloomington Pantagraph)

KEYSTONE XL: President Obama vetoes a bill that would have forced approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. (New York Times)

***SPONSORED LINK: This is the last week to pre-register for the CERTs 2015 Conference: Community-Driven Clean Energy on Mar. 10-11 in St. Cloud. Join hundreds of Minnesotans to help build our clean energy future! ***

COAL: Ohio utilities are taking different approaches to prepare for the Supreme Court’s ruling on EPA mercury rules. (Midwest Energy News)

KANSAS: State lawmakers will try again to repeal Kansas’ renewable energy standard; advocates say keeping the law in place will be key to meeting EPA carbon targets. (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR: An Indiana anti-solar bill appears to be stalling in the legislature, and a proposed solar array in Carbondale, Illinois is criticized as “environmental racism.” (Indianapolis Star, Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

OIL: North Dakota approves legislation to strengthen pipeline oversight, and a labor leader says more refinery workers could go on strike. (Forum News Service, Reuters)

ETHANOL: Low gasoline prices are wiping out ethanol profit margins, and 55,000 gallons of ethanol are still unaccounted for after a rail spill into the Mississippi River earlier this month. (Bloomberg, Associated Press)

UTILITIES: A Wisconsin utility hires a consultant to lead community meetings on its future direction. (Madison Capital Times)

GRID: Why a recent cold snap isn’t having as much impact on the grid as last year’s frigid winter. (Columbus Business First)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join Wind on the Wires March 19 for the “Energizing the Future” gala featuring former FERC Chair Jon Wellinghoff & former Congressman Bob Inglis. Reduced rates for NGOs.***

CLIMATE: A closer look at Willie Soon’s climate misinformation. (InsideClimate News)

COMMENTARY: Seven predictions for the solar market in 2015. (Greentech Media)

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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