CLIMATE: Critics say Minneapolis’ 2013 climate plan that’s still in use today failed from the outset to include African American and American Indian voices in critical discussions. (E&E News)

CARBON CAPTURE: Springfield, Illinois’ municipal utility is selected as a finalist by the U.S. Energy Department for what would be the world’s largest carbon capture pilot project. (State Journal-Register)

***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.***

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• General Motors is developing an electric van aimed at business users, joining a growing number of automakers looking to participate in electrified commercial fleets. (Reuters)
• Exelon’s gas and electric utilities pledge to electrify 30% of their vehicle fleet by 2025 and 50% by 2030. (Daily Energy Insider)

PIPELINES:
• President Trump signs an executive order giving federal agencies emergency powers to fast-track infrastructure projects, including pipelines. (Reuters)
• Minnesota regulators will hold an additional hearing on a key permit for the proposed Line 3 pipeline replacement project later this summer. (MPR News)

DIVESTMENT: A Minnesota board passes a resolution to divest the state’s public pension funds from companies that make more than 25% of their revenue from coal mining. (City Pages)

UTILITIES: Following the lead of the University of Iowa, Iowa State University is investigating the potential of private ownership of its utilities. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

SOLAR:
• The national trade group representing investor-owned utilities is staying mum on a petition that would have net metering programs fall under federal jurisdiction. (Utility Dive)
• The owner of an Iowa solar company sells to a group of four employees and two local investors. (Clinton Herald)

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BIOFUELS: Iowa’s two Republican senators ask the FDA to loosen restrictions on hand sanitizer production, which would benefit the state’s ethanol producers. (E&E News, subscription)

GRID: Xcel Energy prepares for summer with plans to inspect Wisconsin transmission lines for the next four to six weeks. (WXOW)