PETCOKE: A Chicago company says it’s ending its petroleum coke storage operations in the city rather than continue to fight legal and political pressure. (Chicago Tribune)
SOLAR:
• A South Dakota utility withdraws a proposed rate change that critics said would have targeted rooftop solar. (Rapid City Journal)
• Despite a depressed market for solar in the state, and Ohio solar project is proceeding. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Minnesota’s transportation department seeks proposals for solar arrays alongside highways. (Forum News Service)
• Why Wisconsin’s solar debate could have national implications. (Slate)
• Solar tours will be held in Ohio and Illinois next month. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, WIFR)
***SPONSORED LINK: On Oct.29, experts will converge on Madison, Wisconsin to discuss the energy, water and food challenges created by growing cities. Hosted by the Wisconsin Energy Institute. Register before Oct. 1 and save 20%.***
NUCLEAR: Exelon says it would cost around $580 million to keep its Illinois nuclear plants operating, and an Illinois lawmaker says “it’s difficult to move on energy policy” until Exelon makes clear what it wants from the state. (Crain’s Chicago Business, Forbes)
OIL: North Dakota officials consider a policy change that would prevent counties from holding elections on oil waste landfills, and a state health official says the industry needs to do more to prevent environmental damage. (Bismarck Tribune, Associated Press)
WIND: An EPA official says Iowa’s wind industry puts it ahead of other states in meeting proposed carbon goals. (Des Moines Register)
COAL: Local officials approve plans for expanded coal storage at a power plant near Milwaukee, and an Indiana mine is cited for safety violations. (Milwaukee Business Journal, Indiana Public Media)
FRACKING: An Ohio county says “penalties should be crippling” for companies that don’t disclose fracking chemicals. (Columbus Business Journal)
CLIMATE: A new study says over-reliance on natural gas can impede climate action, oil companies are preparing for carbon pricing, and analysts at a recent forum said they are optimistic the Clean Power Plan will succeed. (Climate Central, Yale E360)
POLITICS: An ALEC spokesman says Google left the group because of “misinformation from climate activists,” a Wisconsin lawmaker will share his her experiences from a recent ALEC gathering, and Rolling Stone dives deep on Koch Industries’ political and environmental history. (The Hill, Madison Capital Times, Rolling Stone)
GRID: A Chicago symposium discusses the potential of miniature combined heat and power plants as a backup system for solar. (Forbes)
MEDIA: A spokesman for Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon is not amused about the congressman being lampooned a recent “Daily Show” segment on climate change denial. (WTHI)
COMMENTARY: Why Michigan shouldn’t rely solely on utilities to guide its energy future, and Ohio’s energy law study so far is stacked in favor of opponents. (Metromode, The Equation)