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)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

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