VW SETTLEMENT: Advocates are concerned that Minnesota lawmakers have drawn up legislation that will prevent the state from being distributed tens of millions of dollars in emissions settlement funds. (Midwest Energy News)
PIPELINES:
• The National Wildlife Federation discovers more oil and gas spills along Enbridge’s Line 5 than they previously thought as concerns about the integrity of the pipeline increase. (Midwest Energy News)
• North Dakota lawmakers advance a bill asking the state attorney general to recoup the $34 million in costs to the state associated with Dakota Access pipeline protests. (Forum News Service)
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SOLAR:
• While announcing his intention to sign several controversial bills into law, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb refused to say whether one of them will be a plan to phase out net metering. (Associated Press)
• Meanwhile, technology and finance CEOs in Indiana are the latest to call on Holcomb to veto the bill. (PV-Tech)
• Two Wisconsin cities promote residential solar investment through group-buying programs. (Wisconsin State Journal)
NUCLEAR: The CEO of FirstEnergy dismisses claims that proposed legislation to help boost revenue for two struggling nuclear plants is a bailout. (Toledo Blade)
COAL:
• Analysts say planned coal plant closures in multiple Midwest states this year will contribute to a 30 million ton decrease in demand for coal. (Digital Journal)
• A Murray Energy subsidiary confirms layoffs at one of its mines in Illinois, citing “recently encountered adverse mining conditions.” (Southern Illinoisan)
• Analysts say coal-fired power plants in grid operator PJM’s territory face increased risks for refinancing as more natural gas plants come online. (Natural Gas Intelligence)
• Michigan-based Consumers Energy selects a North Carolina-based developer to repurpose the sites of two recently retired coal plants. (Monroe News)
RENEWABLES: A May conference in Minnesota will explore paths to expand renewable energy generation there. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
OIL AND GAS:
• A new 650-megawatt natural gas plant owned by Alliant Energy in Iowa earns recognition for its design. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Ohio and Pennsylvania lead U.S. states in increased gas production for 2016. (Dayton Business Journal)
UTILITIES: Consumer advocates say AEP Ohio’s plan to increase monthly fixed fees would disproportionately impact low-income residents, though the utility says it will be largely offset by variable cost decreases. (Columbus Dispatch)
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DIVESTMENT: Activists plan a May 5 march in Madison, Wisconsin to call on banks to divest from pipeline projects. (Wisconsin Gazette)
COMMENTARY:
• As federal budget negotiations wrap up, an Ohio editorial board says: “More than 20,000 retired coal miners deserve a permanent solution to their vulnerable health care benefits.” (Akron Beacon Journal)
• The Port Huron Times Herald in Michigan calls for county leadership on settling wind turbine siting disputes.