OHIO: An Ohio utility hires a consultant to explore selling unregulated power plants that it is seeking profit guarantees for. (Columbus Dispatch)
COAL: Federal regulators order BNSF to provide a plan for making emergency coal shipments to power plants this winter. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***
ELECTRIC CARS: A Republican Minnesota lawmaker and recent Tesla buyer says electric cars are “where the future is.” (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO: Backers are optimistic that low gasoline prices won’t dampen interest in electric cars. (Seattle Times)
SOLAR: U.S. tariffs on Chinese solar panels may be reduced following a Department of Commerce review. (Bloomberg)
KEYSTONE XL: President Obama pledges to veto a bill authorizing construction of Keystone XL, as South Dakota regulators reject a challenge to the pipeline. (New York Times, Associated Press)
OIL: More than 300 people attend a hearing on a proposed Minnesota pipeline, and low oil prices prompt an Ohio pipe plant to shut down. (Minnesota Public Radio, Bloomberg)
GRID: An Ohio utility is still awaiting approval of a plan to install 900,000 smart meters. (Columbus Business First)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join NAACP’s Jacqueline Patterson, ELPC’s Brad Klein, and Wisconsin businesses, policymakers, advocates, and utilities at the RENEW Wisconsin Energy Summit on Friday, January 9 in Madison.***
WISCONSIN: Gundersen Health System’s energy independence efforts will be recognized at an annual energy summit this week. (La Crosse Tribune)
COMMENTARY: Why we should tax carbon instead of subsidizing nuclear. (Crain’s Chicago Business)