CLIMATE:
• Researchers say Iowa farmers should be incentivized for taking a more proactive role in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• With the European Union signing on, the Paris climate agreement will take effect legally within a month. (Climate Central)
COAL:
• Minnesota regulators are expected to decide today whether to replace units at a major coal plant with natural gas and renewables. (St. Cloud Times)
• Missouri-based Arch Coal emerges from bankruptcy with more than $300 million in cash on its balance sheet. (St. Louis Business Journal)
• An Ohio agency is offering up to $8 million for researchers to prove “clean coal” technology. (Columbus Business First)
***SPONSORED LINK: Support Solar in Illinois — Purchase a raffle ticket to win a 2016 Tesla Model S from the Illinois Solar Energy Association! One ticket for $100, 4 for $300. Only 2,500 tickets will be sold!***
NUCLEAR: Anti-nuclear advocates mark the 50th anniversary of the partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor in southeast Michigan. (Toledo Blade)
FRAC SAND: Michigan may be getting closer to acquiring property along the Lake Michigan shoreline that has been owned privately for mining sand for fracking operations. (MLive)
EFFICIENCY: Two professional sports teams — the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Lions – look to cut their stadiums’ energy use by installing more efficient lighting. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, MLive)
PIPELINES:
• Federal judges “seemed skeptical” of tribal arguments for extending a work freeze on disputed sections of the Dakota Access pipeline, but aren’t expected to make a ruling for months. (Greenwire, Reuters)
• Supporters say a “dangerous precedent” would be set by revoking an already approved project, while opponents say tribal rights were violated by not seeking their input on the project. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Activists plan a 270-mile protest horseback ride along the route of the Dakota Access pipeline. (Forum News Service)
SOLAR:
• Michigan-based Consumers Energy says it’s responding to customer demand for renewable energy, most recently with two new solar garden projects. (MLive)
• Solar panels continue popping up in parks around Minneapolis. (Southwest Journal)
EMISSIONS:
• Greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and large industrial users continue to decline, the U.S. EPA reports. (Utility Dive)
• Researchers say an uptick an methane emissions may be due to an increase in agricultural output. (NPR)
CLEAN ENERGY: Minnesota recognizes the city of St. Cloud for its clean energy transition plans. (St. Cloud Times)
RENEWABLES: A design competition awards energy infrastructure projects that also double as public art installations. (Yale Environment 360)
COMMENTARY:
• A diverse cross-section of Michigan Republicans call for more renewable energy. (Oakland Press)
• In Wisconsin, the “dominant players in business and government” ignore the economic opportunities presented by developing renewable energy. (Urban Milwaukee)