EFFICIENCY: A pair of Iowa studies finds small towns can save millions on energy costs through aggressive efficiency efforts and renewable energy. (Midwest Energy News)
FRACKING: A GAO report singles out Ohio for being the only state that doesn’t require disclosure of chemicals disposed in wastewater injection wells. (EcoWatch)
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FRAC SAND: A new report, focusing primarily on Wisconsin and Minnesota, finds frac sand mining poses health and economic risks to nearby communities. (International Business Times)
UTILITIES: Wisconsin industrial groups want regulators to take more time deciding whether to approve Wisconsin Energy’s proposed acquisition of Integrys, and developers of a proposed natural gas plant withdraw their proposal after controversy in an Illinois town. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, CBS Chicago)
SOLAR:
• A group of solar installers requests a ruling from the IRS on tax implications for value-of-solar tariffs. (Greentech Media)
• A Wisconsin town, motivated in part by opposition to transmission lines, explores a community solar program. (La Crosse Tribune)
• Officials at a Lincoln, Nebraska utility say they’re surprised by the low rate of participation in their community solar effort. (Lincoln Journal Star)
• A new maintenance facility at Madison’s airport includes a 100 kW solar array. (Wisconsin State Journal)
COAL: An industry expert says market conditions, not environmental regulations, are having the hardest impact on the coal industry. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
NUCLEAR: Exelon says the EPA’s “at risk” designation for nuclear plants doesn’t help it financially. (EnergyWire)
OIL: An industry group releases new classification standards for shipping crude by rail, a North Dakota lawmaker says Gen. David Petraeus compared the Oil Patch to a war zone, and a union official criticizes delays to a proposed Minnesota pipeline. (Associated Press, Forum News Service)
GRID: PJM Interconnection says it’s modifying a grid reliability plan after comments from utilities and other groups. (Columbus Business First)
ETHANOL: An ethanol plant co-located with the Spiritwood coal plant in North Dakota will receive a $1 million federal loan. (Forum News Service)
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COMMENTARY: Ohio’s energy laws are “being rolled back by a cabal of special interests and lawmakers who appear motivated more by ideology than common sense.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
CORRECTION: An item in yesterday’s digest misidentified the gender of Wisconsin Rep. Chris Taylor. We apologize for the error.