WIND: A decision expected today on whether to list the Northern long-eared bat as endangered could have an impact on Midwest wind producers. (Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE: The U.S. will submit its plan for carbon reductions this week to the U.N., as most other countries miss the deadline. (Reuters)

***SPONSORED LINK: Greentech Media’s Solar Summit is the industry’s premier annual gathering. Join leaders from across the solar value chain for 2+ days of groundbreaking content and unsurpassed networking opportunities. Get 15% off with code MWENRGY15.***

OIL TRAINS:
• Safety experts find flaws in North Dakota’s new safety regulations. (Reuters)
• BNSF Railway says it will lower speeds of oil trains traveling through Minneapolis-St. Paul. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

FRAC SAND: Iowa’s state geologist says frac sand mining doesn’t pose a threat to water supplies. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

FRACKING: A poll finds nearly half of Illinois voters oppose hydraulic fracturing. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

EPA:
• Missouri business and political leaders criticize EPA carbon rules at a panel discussion in St. Louis. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• A legal expert says states have little to lose by ignoring the Clean Power Plan. (Greenwire)

OHIO: The chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is stepping down from his leadership role, but will remain on the commission. (Columbus Business First)

UTILITIES:
• An Ohio utility wants regulators to decide quickly on its proposed coal plant plan. (Columbus Business First)
• South Dakota lawmakers override a veto of a bill that would cut taxes for rural co-ops. (Associated Press)

TECHNOLOGY:
• Duke Energy contributes $1 million to battery research in Indiana as part of a settlement over cost overruns at the Edwardsport plant. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• A federal grant will help launch clean-energy startups in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune)

NUCLEAR: A Minnesota nuclear plant was briefly taken offline because of a false fire alarm. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION:
• An Illinois bill would impose a $5,000 fine for “rolling coal,” wherein owners of diesel pickups intentionally release clouds of smoke through modified exhaust systems. (Gas 2.0)
• The EPA is reviewing another round of efficiency rules for heavy trucks and buses. (The Hill)
• Iowa school districts consider running buses on propane to cut costs and emissions. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

***SPONSORED LINK: The 10th annual Advancing Renewables in the Midwest conference will be April 6th & 7th in Columbia, Missouri. This year’s theme is “Expanding Opportunities.” Register today! ***

SOLAR: Going off the grid won’t be a practical option for most homeowners. (Washington Post)

COMMENTARY: Why the world’s first carbon capture project is effectively a subsidy for oil producers at the expense of ratepayers. (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.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.