POLICY: Illinois legislation backed by Ameren focuses on utility-scale solar in the southern part of the state that the utility could own. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Efforts to address climate change and the clean energy sector are among the factors delaying a $1 trillion stimulus bill in Congress to address the economic impacts of the coronavirus. (NPR)

COAL:
• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signs legislation meant to temporarily delay coal plant closures, requiring utilities to give six months notice of planned retirements. (Bloomberg Environment, subscription)
• Murray Energy cancels a bankruptcy auction after it receives no qualified bids for its coal assets. (S&P Global)

UTILITIES: DTE Energy suspends all non-critical infrastructure and maintenance work to protect workers and help stop the spread of the coronavirus. (CBS Detroit)

GRID:
• Grid operators and utilities say it’s too early to determine the impact of widespread closures on the grid, but some are already seeing a drop in power demand. (Utility Dive)
• Analysts say a drop in power demand could force utilities to scale back grid investments, delay new power plant projects and put more pressure on aging plants already struggling to compete. (E&E News, subscription)

RENEWABLES: A researcher from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is helping his hometown find low-cost renewable energy options. (Houghton Daily Mining Gazette)

BIOGAS: A waste and recycling company plans a landfill gas-to-energy plant in southern Indiana. (Seymour Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The oncoming recession and tanking oil prices suggest major challenges ahead for electric vehicle sales. (Grist)

BIOFUELS: A group representing small oil refineries predict dire consequences for its members as the White House signals it may not appeal a court ruling limiting the U.S. EPA’s ability to waive blending requirements. (E&E News, subscription)

COMMENTARY:
• An Indiana editorial board thanks state lawmakers for modifying a bill to limit the potentially harmful impacts of delaying the state’s transition from coal. (Anderson Herald Bulletin)
• A former North Dakota lieutenant governor says the state is well-positioned to protect coal workers and communities from harm as it transitions from coal. (Minot Daily News)

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.