NUCLEAR: Illinois lawmakers introduce a bill to help Exelon’s nuclear plants, which a consumer group says will cost ratepayers around $300 million a year. (Chicago Tribune)

SOLAR: A Missouri study, like others before it, finds net metering benefits all utility customers regardless of whether they have solar panels. (Midwest Energy News)

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

MICHIGAN: Utilities say Michigan’s energy choice law complicates efforts to deal with a projected capacity shortfall (more on the shortfall here). (MLive, Midwest Energy News archive)

EPA: Gina McCarthy reminds Congress that there are tools to deal with reliability issues that may arise under the Clean Power Plan. (ClimateWire)

MORE SOLAR: A township board may pose a roadblock to plans for a solar array at Ann Arbor’s airport, and Google invests another $300 million in solar. (MLive, Bloomberg)

WISCONSIN: A new report finds clean energy companies in Wisconsin are pressing forward despite an unfavorable political climate in the state. (Madison Capital Times)

ETHANOL: A pair of U.S. Senators introduces a bill to repeal part of the Renewable Fuel Standard. (The Hill)

OIL AND GAS: The drilling slowdown starts to hit service companies in Ohio, and North Dakota lawmakers approve a revised bill to send funding to Oil Patch communities. (Canton Repository, Bismarck Tribune)

COAL: North Dakota’s coal production increased 4 percent last year. (Associated Press)

UTILITIES: Despite low turnout at public meetings, Wisconsin regulators are getting a lot of feedback on the proposed Wisconsin Energy/Integrys merger. (Green Bay Press-Gazette)

EFFICIENCY: Wisconsin companies are recognized for their energy efficiency work. (Appleton Post-Crescent)

***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: Sen. James Inhofe attempts to disprove climate science by throwing a snowball on the Senate floor and proclaiming “it’s very, very cold out.” (The Hill)

COMMENTARY: Why Republican candidates shouldn’t mock clean energy in 2016. (New Republic)