COAL: Alliant Energy plans to retire a coal plant in eastern Wisconsin years ahead of schedule, which is expected to save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars long term. (Wisconsin State Journal)

ALSO:
• The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency plans to reduce its carbon emissions 90% by 2030, driven by the retirement of a large coal plant that is the utility’s largest source of electricity. (Energy News Network)
• A settlement between DTE Energy, the U.S. EPA and the Sierra Club resolving a longstanding dispute over a southeast Michigan coal plant directs millions of dollars to pollution control and energy efficiency. (Michigan Radio)
• Chicago officials face public backlash during a virtual town hall meeting on the botched demolition of a former coal plant smokestack. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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CLEAN ENERGY: Minnesota lawmakers approve $46 million for a net-zero energy project at Prairie Island Indian Community, as well as $15 million for a state-funded solar program. (Star Tribune)

PIPELINES:
• Since 2012, pipelines owned by the developer of the Dakota Access pipeline or its subsidiaries have had 349 leaks, spills and other incidents. (E&E News, subscription)
• Attorneys for the state of Michigan argue in court that the Line 5 pipeline is a public nuisance and a violation of the public trust doctrine. (Bridge Magazine) 

SOLAR: A Sioux man seeking to bring energy sovereignty to U.S. tribes is the driving force behind a new solar project on the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota. (Al Jazeera)

UTILITIES: Shareholders at Michigan’s two largest utilities have again rejected investor resolutions calling for more disclosure of political spending after the companies’ ties to tax-exempt nonprofits receive more scrutiny. (MiBiz)

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CLIMATE: The Wisconsin Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change continues meeting during the pandemic as officials say the two issues are connected. (Wisconsin Examiner)

COMMENTARY:
• An Ohio labor union official says the federal Renewable Fuel Standard is imposing millions of dollars in extra costs on refiners at a time when plants are struggling to stay open. (Toledo Blade)
• Several major banks have announced new policies recently that will limit how they do business with companies that rely on coal, including utilities, a watchdog group reports. (Energy and Policy Institute)