CLIMATE: Scientists warn that the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet “has passed the point of no return,” triggering sea level rise of potentially more than 10 feet over the coming centuries. (New York Times)
MEANWHILE: Coal industry groups say they are “increasingly concerned about the potentially enormous harm” from EPA rules to limit carbon emissions, and an Iowa task force looks at climate change solutions. (The Hill, Des Moines Register)
***SPONSORED LINK:Tour beautiful and sustainable homes in the Twin Cities area this May 31st on the EcoMetro Sustainable Living Tour. Homes feature innovative technology that tackle the challenging combination of cold winters & hot summers with smart design choices, cutting edge building techniques, and on-site renewable energy systems.***
POLICY: In a case that seems to contradict a ruling in a similar Minnesota-North Dakota dispute, a federal judge last week rejected a challenge to Colorado’s renewable energy standard, saying restrictions on out-of-state coal power do not violate the Commerce Clause. (Denver Post)
EFFICIENCY: After sitting idle for more than two years, a state-of-the-art North Dakota coal plant is about to start producing energy — made more viable by recycling its waste heat for other purposes. (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO: In what an Ohio senator calls “disappointing example of Washington’s dysfunction,” the U.S. Senate kills a bipartisan bill aimed at encouraging energy efficiency. (New York Times)
OIL: Regulators may target the composition of Bakken oil in an effort to improve safety, spills at drilling sites increased 18 percent last year, and a North Dakota well nicknamed “Ron Burgundy” has been leaking for several days. (Reuters, EnergyWire, Associated Press)
UTILITIES: Amid an investigation by Ohio regulators, FirstEnergy says its practice of using “pass-through” surcharges is beneficial to ratepayers. (Columbus Business First)
OHIO: A breakdown of how Ohio legislators voted on a bill to temporarily freeze the state’s energy laws. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
KEYSTONE XL: While Keystone XL is delayed, Canadian producers seek other routes to export oil to overseas markets; and the impact of rail congestion on agriculture shifts the pipeline debate in Nebraska. (New York Times, Al Jazeera)
SOLAR: Missouri’s solar industry rallies to encourage lawmakers to revive a state rebate program. (Associated Press)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join MEEA for the Ohio Energy Efficiency Expo at the Statehouse in Columbus on Wednesday, May 14. We invite energy efficiency advocates and stakeholders to attend the expo and press conference. RSVP here.***
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Kansas City electric truck manufacturer plans to reopen after securing a $42 million investment. (Kansas City Star)
COMMENTARY: John Oliver hosts a statistically representative climate change debate (note: some language in video NSFW). (Mother Jones)