COAL: Environmental groups call on NIPSCO to release more detailed removal plans and take steps to protect groundwater as the utility clears coal ash storage sites in northwestern Indiana. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
ALSO:
• Duke Energy implodes a former coal plant along the Wabash River in western Indiana. (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)
• Local officials in a St. Paul suburb begin planning for site redevelopment ahead of the planned 2028 closure of an Xcel Energy coal plant. (Pioneer Press)
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SOLAR: The economic recession brought by the coronavirus and the stalling of proposed legislation to expand incentives could spell trouble for Illinois’ solar industry. (Energy News Network)
WIND:
• A northeastern Nebraska county considers a moratorium on wind projects until new local regulations are adopted. (Sioux City Journal)
• Purdue University engineers are researching ways to 3D print concrete components for offshore wind projects. (news release)
RENEWABLES:
• The coronavirus is not only battering the oil and gas industry but also is drying up capital and disrupting supply chains for clean energy. (Washington Post)
• National wind and solar trade groups fear the coronavirus-related slowdown of projects will have lasting damage. (Associated Press)
CLIMATE: Renewable energy and wildlife habitat restoration are both parts of Iowa City’s climate action plan but have recently been in conflict over a proposed solar project. (Iowa City Press Citizen)
PIPELINES: The oil and gas industry is concerned that a recent federal ruling involving the Keystone XL pipeline could mean widespread permitting challenges ahead. (DeSmog)
BIOFUELS: Two Ohio mayors ask the Trump administration to relax ethanol-blending requirements for Toledo-area refineries. (Toledo Blade)
CYBERSECURITY: President Trump signs an executive order allowing the U.S. energy secretary to prohibit the acquisition, importation, transfer or installation of power equipment from an adversary to protect the power grid. (Reuters)
COMMENTARY:
• Author and activist Bill McKibben responds to Michael Moore’s latest documentary criticizing the clean energy movement as others debunk outdated claims made in the film. (Rolling Stone)
• Environmental advocates call on the Trump administration to approve “safe harbor” provisions protecting tax credits for renewable energy projects as supported by Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa. (Environmental Working Group)