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)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.*** 

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)

Avatar photo

Andy Balaskovitz

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.