NOTE TO READERS: Midwest Energy News will not be published on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The email digest will return on Tuesday, January 20.

SOLAR:
• How arcane-sounding policy changes will have a significant impact on solar economics in Wisconsin. (Midwest Energy News)
• A pair of bills in the Missouri legislature would expand net metering for solar customers. (Midwest Energy News)
• A study finds there are twice as many solar jobs as coal jobs in the U.S. (Mother Jones)
• A rural Minnesota co-op plans a 100 kW community solar project. (Owatonna People’s Press)
• Minnesota regulators clarify how Xcel’s community solar projects will be prioritized. (Renewable+Law)
• Officials in a Michigan town back a community solar project atop a historic mansion. (Grand Rapids Press)

***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.***

INDIANA: Advocates say utilities are “rewriting the rules” with a pair of bills to change efficiency and solar policies. (EnergyWire)

COAL: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder calls for “a long term transition away from coal,” Dynegy says it will shut down part of an Illinois coal plant, and pollution upgrades could keep a Wisconsin coal unit operating through 2038. (MLive, Platts, SNL)

OIL AND GAS:
• EPA methane regulations are expected to be implemented gradually. (InsideClimate News)
• A report says Minnesota first responders are not prepared for an oil train disaster. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• The drilling downturn is dashing hopes for thousands of workers. (Bloomberg)
• An Illinois community college plans to offer a fracking program. (Associated Press)

OHIO: FirstEnergy and American Electric Power were among top donors to inaugural parties for Gov. John Kasich and other state officials. (Columbus Dispatch)

GRID: The PJM Interconnection files a proposal to continue allowing demand response in capacity auctions. (SNL)

BIOENERGY: An MIT study finds a carbon price would be a boon for bioenergy, and ethanol producers so far are not being harmed by low oil prices. (Greenwire, Des Moines Register)

MINNESOTA: State Rep. Pat Garofalo, chair of the House energy committee, will also help lead the Council on State Government’s energy panel (read our Q&A here). (MinnPost)

CLIMATE: Pope Francis speaks out on climate change, while Ohio Rep. John Boehner tries a new take on the “I’m not a scientist” line. (Reuters, The Hill)

ELECTRIC CARS: An Ohio town considers installing high-speed charging stations. (Columbus Dispatch)

COMMENTARY: How much will climate change cost us? (Grist)

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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