SOLAR:
• Developers plan for a 100-megawatt project in Iowa, which would be the state’s largest. Nearby residents are concerned about its impact on the land. (KCCI-TV)
• A Minnesota town will see significant energy savings by subscribing to a community solar project. (Woodbury Bulletin)

MINNESOTA: A veteran lobbyist who spent 34 years helping craft Minnesota’s energy policy retired this week. (Midwest Energy News)

*** SPONSORED LINK: Solar Powering Iowa, March 23-24 in Cedar Rapids will be packed with an energizing mix of pre-conference trainings, keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking. Register today!***

FRACKING: The amount of fracking wastewater pumped underground in Ohio increased by more than 15 percent last year even though shale drilling has decreased nationwide. (Columbus Dispatch)

EFFICIENCY:
• The Minnesota Department of Transportation is converting streetlights across the state to LEDs to save money and reduce energy use. (CBS Minnesota)
• A Michigan race track receives a nearly $30,000 incentive from its utility after making efficiency improvements. (Energy Manager Today)

OHIO: A coalition of local officials and labor groups endorse FirstEnergy’s income guarantee request. (Port Clinton News Herald)

PIPELINES:
• Iowa regulators are expected to decide this week on whether to allow the Dakota Access project to move through the state. (Iowa State Daily)
• A Wisconsin agency will hold public hearings this week on the controversial Sandpiper project. (Associated Press) 

STORAGE: Grid operator MISO could have a limited set of market rules for energy storage as early as 2017. (RTO Insider)

CLEAN ENERGY: The story behind NRG Energy’s shake-up involves hesitant investors and friction over the company’s direction. (EnergyWire)

COAL:
• Banking giant JP Morgan Chase says it will not finance new coal plants in advanced economies due to climate concerns. (Bloomberg Business)
• Peabody Energy announces more layoffs at its downtown St. Louis headquarters. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Range is a primary concern for Minnesota drivers considering a switch to electric vehicles. (Minnesota Public Radio)

CAPACITY AUCTION: The debate continues over whether grid operator MISO should restructure its capacity auction process. (RTO Insider)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Advancing Renewables in the Midwest Conference, April 11-12 in Columbia, Missouri focuses on programs, policies, and projects that enhance the use of renewable energy resources in the Midwest for the economic benefit of the region. Register today!***

SUPREME COURT: Two potential Obama appointees have experience in deciding environmental regulatory cases. (Greenwire)

COMMENTARY:
• “Illinois officials need to act decisively” so that taxpayers aren’t covering the costs of Peabody Energy’s coal-mine cleanups. (State Journal-Register)
• Health advocates say stalling clean-energy planning in Michigan will have negative impacts on air quality in vulnerable communities. (Detroit News)