BIOFUELS: The future of a proposed cellulosic biofuel plant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula looks bleak after a key partner pulls out. (Midwest Energy News)
COAL: A controversial Indiana coal-to-gas plant shut down after six days of operation, and ratepayers could wind up paying for the repairs. (Indianapolis Star)
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WIND: Business is booming for a Wisconsin wind tower manufacturer, and the Nebraska Supreme Court rules in favor of a wind farm in a dispute over taxes. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Associated Press)
FRAC SAND: Wisconsin officials are seeing a growing number of environmental violations as the sand mining industry grows. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
FRACKING: The Michigan Chamber of Commerce launches a pro-fracking campaign aimed at voters. (MLive.com)
OIL: Why earnings are down for big oil companies, despite a drilling boom. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC CARS: GM cuts the price of the Chevy Volt by $5,000; and while the electric car market is still developing, hybrids have become mainstream. (Electric Vehicle News, New York Times)
NUCLEAR: A Minnesota nuclear plant is operating again after being offline for four months for upgrades. (Minnesota Public Radio)
TRANSMISSION: How the Midwest’s grid operator is using synchrophasors to improve reliability. (Transmission & Distribution World)
SOLAR: Solar power catches on in Iowa. (Sioux City Journal)
EFFICIENCY: A Michigan town considers a special assessment to pay for an upgrade to LED streetlights. (AnnArbor.com)
COMMENTARY: Wind power’s impact on wildlife is overstated. (Navigant Research)