SOLAR: Minnesota regulators approve the largest solar project in state history, with more than 100 MW to be built at 21 locations. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
OHIO: The chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio delays a decision on income guarantees for some power plants. (Columbus Dispatch)
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UTILITIES: Xcel Energy seeks a significant fixed charge increase in Wisconsin, a more modest proposal was rejected by Minnesota regulators earlier this year. (La Crosse Tribune, Midwest Energy News archive)
ALSO: Illinois’ attorney general accuses Dynegy of manipulating electricity markets in a recent capacity auction that led to a price spike in the southern part of the state. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
EFFICIENCY: A report from the city of Minneapolis finds large office buildings tend to be higher performers on energy efficiency. (Midwest Energy News)
CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says EPA carbon rules are “unworkable” for his state. (The Hill)
• Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback signs a bill requiring the state to develop a plan to comply with carbon regulations. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
OIL AND GAS:
• New facilities in Ohio to process a byproduct from drilling pose a pollution hazard. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Rising oil prices mean a North Dakota tax break for producers won’t go into effect. (Associated Press)
FRAC SAND: A report finds Wisconsin supplied nearly half of U.S. demand for frac sand in 2014. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
COAL:
• The end of the coal era is near for an Indianapolis-area power plant. (Indianapolis Star)
• A Wisconsin county balks at the cost of performing an air quality study in a neighborhood near an exposed coal pile. (Green Bay Press-Gazette)
MORE SOLAR:
• A Minnesota lawmaker praises a rural co-op’s investment in solar power. (Rochester Post-Bulletin)
• An Iowa utility proposes a community solar project. (KCRG)
WIND: Illinois lawmakers advance a bill to clarify local regulation of wind farms. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)
GRID: A report finds utility investment in energy storage has increased 18 percent over last year. (ClimateWire)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ford opens up its electric vehicle patents to competitors. (CBS Detroit)
COMMENTARY: An Ohio bill letting counties bypass state wind turbine rules “would at least mitigate the state’s ill-advised change in setback standards.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)