POLICY: Illinois lawmakers are expected to introduce a long-anticipated energy bill that would provide controversial supports for nuclear and coal plants as well as fix the state’s renewable portfolio standard and add other clean energy investments. (Midwest Energy News)
PIPELINES:
• An Ohio town votes to amend its city charter to prohibit natural gas transmission projects, but opponents of the proposed NEXUS pipeline must wait to see whether the change has any legal standing. (Toledo Blade)
• Federal authorities defer a final decision on granting a permit for a controversial section of the Dakota Access pipeline, citing further discussions needed with tribal members. (Reuters)
• More than 200 Dakota Access pipeline protests are planned today across the U.S. (Reuters)
• Donald Trump and his key advisers stand to gain financially from the Dakota Access pipeline. (Grist)
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WIND: A Minnesota college partners with Xcel Energy to run entirely on wind energy. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
BIOFUELS: Midwestern researchers are discovering new ways to make yeast ferment feedstocks more efficiently, which offers hope for cellulosic ethanol becoming more commercially viable. (Midwest Energy News)
RENEWABLES:
• Cuyahoga County in Ohio is expected to approve today a 10-year power purchase agreement to buy locally generated power from yet-to-be-built solar and offshore wind projects. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• A new report says continued investment in wind and solar could bring 5,000 new jobs to rural Minnesota. (University of Minnesota)
WASTE-TO-ENERGY: A Nebraska town continues to seek solutions for residents affected by odor problems coming from a nearby waste-to-energy plant. (Sioux City Journal)
SOLAR: A Michigan company has been making its own form of solar roof shingles for 10 years. (Fox 2 Detroit)
EFFICIENCY: A collaboration between the city of Detroit and DTE Energy will provide rebates to companies that install high-efficiency lighting and other energy-saving equipment. (Model D Media)
OIL AND GAS: The North Dakota representative being considered by President-elect Trump for energy secretary says he’d be happy to stay in Congress if the post is given to oil and gas billionaire Harold Hamm. (Associated Press)
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REGULATION: The liberal-leaning U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. “could give environmental advocates one bright spot” if regulations come under fire from the new administration. (Greenwire)
CLIMATE:
• Policymakers, scientists and world leaders anxiously await to hear how President-elect Trump plans to reshape U.S. climate policy. (Climate Central)
• President Obama makes the case that regulations and clean energy investment have helped boost the economy. (Washington Post)