EMISSIONS: Environmental groups plan to sue the U.S. EPA, saying Illinois is among 39 states that have failed to submit regional air pollution plans as a large coal plant remains the state’s top emitter. (Southern Illinoisan)
POLICY: An Indiana state House committee advances bills to incentivize small advanced nuclear reactors as well as uniform local renewable energy siting standards. (Indiana Environmental Reporter)
BUILDINGS: Several hurdles remain for developers seeking to build a carbon-free housing project with a district energy system at a former golf course in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Star Tribune)
SOLAR: Local officials and residents urge Wisconsin regulators to reject a proposed 300 MW solar project over a technicality in state law limiting the length of farmland leases. (News & Independent)
UTILITIES:
• An environmental attorney says antitrust law could potentially be used to stop monopoly utilities from trying to limit distributed generation. (Grist)
• A federal judge declines to dismiss charges against four members of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s inner circle in a corruption case involving lobbying with ComEd. (Chicago Sun-Times)
PIPELINES: Federal regulators issue sweeping new guidelines for natural gas pipeline projects that add considerations for landowners, environmental justice and greenhouse gas emissions. (E&E News)
TRANSMISSION: A task force of state and federal energy regulators consider plans to develop portfolios of transmission projects instead of reviewing projects on a case-by-case basis. (Utility Dive)
COAL: The sale of a southwestern Indiana coal plant to a new owner that can supply its own coal is a positive development that will preserve local jobs and economic activity, local officials say. (Tribune Star)
CLIMATE: Indiana University students express frustration after school leaders avoid a formal commitment to a climate action plan. (Indiana Daily Student)
WIND: Ohio regulators approve a property transfer that will lead to the development of a 150 MW wind project in northwestern Ohio. (Toledo Blade)
CARBON CAPTURE: Landowners and environmental advocates seek a meeting with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, hoping she’ll block state regulators from allowing eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines. (Radio Iowa)
COMMENTARY: Ohio needs updated insurance policies in the event of earthquakes caused by deep-injection drilling, an editorial board writes. (Cleveland.com)