SOLAR: Critics say a Michigan utility is trying to “monopolize” community solar in its territory. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• Three nonprofits sue to obtain correspondence between Indiana lawmakers and utilities related to a controversial anti-solar bill. (Indianapolis Star)
• A Nebraska town is being considered for a possible $20 million solar project. (Kearney Hub)

***SPONSORED LINK: Establish your company as a strategic player in the expanding Midwest solar market and Sponsor this year’s Midwest Solar Expo taking place May 13-14 in Minneapolis. Learn more about remaining sponsorship opportunities.***

WISCONSIN: State lawmakers want to eliminate a state grant for an organization that advocates on behalf of ratepayers. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR: A recent MISO capacity auction will likely create a windfall for one of Exelon’s Illinois nuclear plants. (Crain’s Chicago Business)

COAL:
• Ohio-based Murray Energy blames President Obama and West Virginia tax policy as it lays off more than 200 workers. (The Hill)
• “An enormous amount of change and innovation” is pushing coal plants out of the market. (Politico)
• A coal industry challenge to the Clean Power Plan employs some unusual legal arguments. (InsideClimate News)
• An Illinois coal mine will remain closed because of elevated carbon monoxide levels from a fire last year. (Associated Press)
• A U.S. House committee approves a bill that would give states authority to regulate coal ash. (Associated Press)

OHIO: The new chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio says “there is going to be a level playing field at the commission.” (Columbus Business First)

OIL AND GAS:
• An environmental group’s study says states are taking a lax approach to dealing with drilling waste. (InsideClimate News)
• Oklahoma University’s president disputes media reports that he met with a drilling executive to discuss earthquake research. (EnergyWire)
• A South Dakota judge removes 22 interveners from a Keystone XL case for failing to meet a pre-trial deadline. (Rapid City 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.***

UTILITIES: Why some Illinois utility customers will see lower bills. (Crain’s Chicago Business)

COMMENTARY: Why “no fuel costs” is the trump card for renewable energy. (The Energy Collective)

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Ken Paulman

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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