RENEWABLES:
• A shareholder resolution would push utility Ameren Missouri to generate 30 percent of its portfolio from renewables by 2030. (Midwest Energy News)
• Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder supports proposed legislation for a 30 percent renewable energy/efficiency goal by 2025. (Associated Press)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Tesla Motors Inc. official says the company is still actively pushing Michigan lawmakers on being able to directly sell its electric vehicles to customers there. (Midwest Energy News)
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RATES: Some large energy users in Minnesota would see decreased rates while average residential customers’ bills would increase under a plan filed with state regulators. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Polling across multiple Midwest states shows strong support for the federal rules. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• Michigan’s attorney general is one of four being attacked in a recent advertising campaign over his position against the Clean Power Plan. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
DEREGULATION: Since moving to a deregulated energy market in 2001, Ohioans are not paying less in electric costs. (Canton Repository)
SOLAR:
• While only one community solar project is operating in Minnesota, hundreds are in the pipeline and will likely be built next year. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Developers are waiting to see if Illinois lawmakers will offer incentives before construction starts on a large solar project there. (Southern Illinoisan)
• Senator Al Franken visits a Minnesota farm using solar to help power their operations. (KTTC-TV)
KEYSTONE XL: Despite being rejected by President Obama, the Keystone XL project still faces multiple legal challenges. (Lincoln Journal Star)
OIL AND GAS: Ameren Illinois will invest $5.3 million in a new natural gas control center. (Decatur Herald & Review)
COMMENTARY:
• Despite the downturn, tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the Midwest still are linked to the oil and gas industry. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• Why hydropower should not be considered “green.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)