NUCLEAR: Exelon’s CEO is again pushing Illinois lawmakers to help support the utility’s nuclear plants. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
WISCONSIN: State lawmakers approve bills to relax sulfur dioxide regulations and cut funding for the state’s energy efficiency program. (Associated Press)
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SOLAR:
• Why Wisconsin’s rural co-ops are powering the state’s solar growth. (Midwest Energy News)
• A series of community workshops aims to expand residential solar in Michigan. (Midland Daily News)
• A North Dakota man says installing solar on his home is “the best money I’ve ever spent in my life.” (KVRR)
IOWA: A state regulator says blocking funding for an Iowa State University research center was “probably not the brightest decision,” but wasn’t illegal. (KCCI)
OIL AND GAS:
• Members of a North Dakota tribe have no regrets about banning fracking on their reservation. (AlterNet)
• Officials in an Ohio county formally oppose the siting of a compressor station for a proposed natural gas pipeline, saying it’s too close to homes and schools. (Toledo Blade)
• South Dakota regulators appoint a public liaison and compliance officer for the Dakota Access pipeline, both appointees have ties to the industry. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
COAL:
• Foresight Energy’s stock falls 26 percent after the company says it may file for bankruptcy. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Two utility requests for proposals could clarify future pricing for Illinois coal. (Platts)
NATURAL GAS: Developers of a proposed natural gas-fired power plant in Ohio seek permission to increase output from 799 MW to 960 MW. (Toledo Blade)
UTILITIES:
• Critics raise concerns about legislation that would change how electric rates are set in Missouri. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Utilities debate the pros and cons of using demand charges as a way to deal with more distributed energy on the grid. (Utility Dive)
• American Electric Power Ohio’s president is stepping down to take a new job. (Columbus Business First)
ETHANOL:
• An industry study says biofuels contributed $2.1 billion to Minnesota’s economy in 2015. (Biofuels Digest)
• A D.C. panel discussion explores whether the political strength of the ethanol industry is waning. (Radio Iowa)
GRID: Pending legislation in Illinois could lead to a major expansion in microgrid development. (Utility Dive)
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EMISSIONS: Three Nebraska cities are working to cut carbon emissions despite the Clean Power Plan delay. (NBC Nebraska)
COMMENTARY: Environmental groups and major industries agree that energy efficiency can be a boon for Ohio’s economy. (NRDC Switchboard)