RENEWABLES: Critics say an Iowa utility’s proposed green-pricing program comes with a high premium with no guarantee that it will lead to additional renewable energy. (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR: Developers are moving forward with plans for a 52-megawatt solar project in South Dakota, which would be the state’s first utility-scale array. (Hot Springs Star)

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CLIMATE: Minnesota and Illinois join other states in using a social cost of carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector. (InsideClimate News)

PIPELINES:
• A tribal liaison brought on to consult with the state of Minnesota over a proposed pipeline expansion resigns in protest of what she called a “a flawed environmental review process that lacked transparency, professionalism, and fairness.” (The Intercept)
• Federal agents raid the home of two women who have confessed to damaging equipment used for the Dakota Access pipeline, searching for evidence that could lead to an arrest. (WHO-TV)

EPA: A U.S. senator from North Dakota says the U.S. EPA administrator’s meetings in the state last week to discuss energy and agriculture issues should have been open to the public. (Forum News Service)

WIND:
• South Dakota regulators are scheduled this week to consider plans for a new 400-megawatt wind project. (Watertown Public Opinion)
• The fifth phase of an Indiana wind project is scheduled to come online within the next month. (Monticello Herald Journal)
• An Iowa utility is introducing new technology in its wind turbines that allow them to generate electricity at higher wind speeds. (Radio Iowa)

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OIL AND GAS: Officials are still trying to determine the cause of an oil spill that took place in a neighborhood outside of Detroit. (WXYZ)

COMMENTARY:
• Illinois regulators should not let Ameren scale back energy efficiency targets negotiated in a new energy law passed last year. (Chicago Sun Times)
• A columnist says Wisconsin should be pursuing jobs in the clean energy sector rather than manufacturing plants that require major public investments. (Ashland Daily Press)