OHIO: Opponents of the income-guarantee deals for FirstEnergy and AEP say they have multiple ways of challenging state regulators’ approval, including a rehearing and court appeals. (Midwest Energy News)
TRANSMISSION: Iowa lawmakers advance a bill that critics say would “change the rules” and halt development of the Rock Island Clean Line wind transmission project. (Radio Iowa)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join venture capitalists, civic leaders, and industry executives to recognize cleantech innovation at the Clean Energy Trust Challenge on April 12th. The Chicago-based accelerator has grown 80+ businesses throughout the Midwest.***
NUCLEAR: Some see the support for nuclear energy in Illinois by climate scientist James Hansen and other conservationists as a push for proposed legislation that would prop up Exelon’s struggling Illinois plants. (Midwest Energy News)
CLEAN JOBS: A new study says Rust Belt states including Ohio and Michigan could see 50,000 high-wage jobs being created annually through state-specific clean energy policy. (ClimateWire)
PIPELINES:
• The Keystone pipeline in South Dakota will likely remain shut down for the rest of the week while officials investigate what caused an apparent leak. (Associated Press)
• Company officials say the incident is “small in scope.” (Associated Press)
• Advocates say the uncertainty surrounding the incident raises concerns about the company’s leak detection measures. (InsideClimate News)
NATURAL GAS: Ohio advocates plan to dive deeper into public sentiment about the benefits and risks of the state’s fracking industry as drilling declines. (Midwest Energy News)
SOLAR:
• Researchers say the next wave of solar development won’t be driven as much by state renewable portfolio standards. (Utility Dive)
• A central Minnesota county plans to revisit local regulations for siting solar projects as opposition mounts. (St. Cloud Times)
• A small Indiana utility launches a program to lease solar panels to its customers. (Greenfield Daily Reporter)
COAL: Nearly 15 gigawatts of coal generation was retired in 2015 to comply with federal pollution standards, and another 2 GW has been earmarked through 2020. (SNL / Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
BIOFUELS: Brazil emerges as a major buyer of corn-based ethanol produced in Iowa. (Houston Chronicle)
UTILITIES: Michigan-based Consumers Energy’s first female president says she is part of the growing diversity among the utility’s leadership. (MLive)
EFFICIENCY: A new industry report says the cost of energy efficiency is still much less than building a new power plant. (Utility Dive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric car ownership is steadily increasing in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. (Telegraph Herald)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join Greentech Media at Solar Summit for over two days of unrivaled networking opportunities and innovative, engaging panel sessions that will provide a unique mix of market intelligence and coordination among industry players. To get 10% off your registration, use our code: MWENERGY10***
RENEWABLES: After a variety of renewable energy technologies were accidentally omitted from the latest investment tax credit, federal lawmakers are discussing whether they should be continued. (E&E Daily)
COMMENTARY:
• Advocates hope Ohio Gov. John Kasich will address clean energy in his annual State of the State speech today. (NRDC Switchboard)
• Marathon’s agreeing to lower sulfur dioxide emissions from its Detroit refinery after public pressure is a battle won in the ongoing war over the region’s air pollution. (Detroit Free Press)
• The fizzling out of a “clean coal” project in Illinois may be a blessing in disguise. (News-Gazette)