NUCLEAR: FirstEnergy continues to push for state subsidies for its nuclear plants even after the Ohio House stopped hearings on legislation, saying its subsidiary will go bankrupt without the assistance. (Toledo Blade, Columbus Dispatch)
EFFICIENCY:
• A Missouri utility is the latest to adopt inclining block rates, which create a larger financial incentive for customers to use less electricity. (Midwest Energy News)
• Ottumwa, Iowa, is the latest city to join Alliant’s Hometown Rewards efficiency program. (Ottumwa Courier)
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SOLAR:
• Alliant Energy plans a 5 MW solar array in Dubuque, which would be the largest in Iowa. (Toledo Chronicle)
• Illinois Central College announces a community solar initiative aimed at low- and moderate-income residents. (Peoria Journal Star)
• NRG announces completion of 72 32 MW of community solar projects in Minnesota. (Renewables Now)
• Duke Energy unveils a 17 MW solar array at a Navy support facility in Indiana. (reNews)
• Construction begins on a 1 MW community solar project in Indiana. (Greensburg Daily News)
• A Minnesota school district cancels its proposed solar project after the company that was required by grants to supply the solar panels shut down operations. (Morrison County Record)
• A closer look at the rise of solar energy in Michigan. (Lansing City Pulse)
WIND: North Dakota regulators are expected to decide by the end of summer on a proposed wind farm expansion. (Grand Forks Herald)
PIPELINES: Tribes fighting the Dakota Access pipeline have dropped their appeal of an earlier court decision authorizing construction. (Associated Press)
COAL:
• Retired miners are still concerned about losing their pensions. (St. Louis Public Radio)
• An Oklahoma coal company says Ohio-based FirstEnergy orchestrated a scheme to shed high-priced contracts. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
EMISSIONS: Illinois is on track to exceed its Clean Power Plan targets even if the rule is repealed. (Illinois Public Radio)
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TECHNOLOGY: An Ohio steelmaker is awarded a $1.8 million Department of Energy grant to research advanced materials for electric vehicle motors. (Dayton Business Journal)
COMMENTARY: It may be getting cheaper to produce ethanol than conventional oil. (Biofuels Digest)