EPA: A study led by Syracuse and Harvard researchers finds the Clean Power Plan could prevent 3,000 premature deaths per year; Illinois, Ohio and Michigan are among the five states that would see the most benefit. (New York Times, Toledo Blade)

ALSO: A recent report says the EPA is underestimating the cost-effectiveness of wind energy as a tool for Minnesota to meet its carbon target. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The 2015 Midwest Solar Expo is next week. Register in advance to save money on tickets. Don’t miss out on the premier B2B Midwest solar event. Help advance the Midwest solar industry and register today!

GRID: The Supreme Court agrees to review a lower court decision that tossed out FERC’s demand-response rules. (Greenwire)

KANSAS: Lawmakers reach a compromise that would make the state’s renewable energy standard voluntary but avoids new taxes on wind energy; environmental groups are critical of the deal. (Kansas City Star)

OIL AND GAS:
• Researchers find a chemical used in fracking in Pennsylvania drinking water samples. (New York Times)
• A new North Dakota refinery — the first greenfield refinery in the U.S. since 1976 — began producing diesel fuel over the weekend. (Dickinson Press)
• A report finds oil and gas companies are still investing in Ohio infrastructure despite a recent drilling slowdown. (Columbus Business First)

SOLAR:
• The new owners of an Illinois coal plant plan a $3 million solar project at a nearby school. (Chicago Tribune)
• A major solar firm explains how it will incorporate Tesla’s new in-home batteries into its business model. (Greentech Media)
• A report says the federal government should shift money from tax credits to upgrading the grid in order to support more solar power. (Reuters)

WIND:
• Nebraska lawmakers will likely place a cap on proposed new tax credits for wind energy. (Lincoln Journal Star)
• A new Illinois wind farm is expected to be online later this summer. (Kankakee Daily Journal)

TRANSMISSION: A major wind-energy transmission expansion in Minnesota nears completion. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

UTILITIES: Wisconsin Energy expects Minnesota and Illinois regulators will sign off on its proposed acquisition of Integrys Energy Group by July. (Milwaukee Business Journal)

***SPONSORED LINK: What is the media’s role in addressing environmental challenges? Join Ensia magazine for a conversation with journalist Marc Gunther May 20 at the University of Minnesota. Free and open to the public.***

EFFICIENCY: A Muskegon transit center wins the first Michigan Battle of the Buildings efficiency challenge. (MLive)

COMMENTARY: How Warren Buffett has helped wean Omaha off of coal. (Slate)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.

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