NUCLEAR: A federal judge dismisses challenges to Illinois’ zero-emission credit program brought by independent power producers, saying it falls within the state’s authority. (RTO Insider)
COAL: Duke Energy’s $3.5 billion Edwardsport power plant in Indiana that converts coal into combustible synthetic gas remains plagued by unplanned outages and costly repairs. (Indianapolis Business Journal)
SOLAR:
• An Indiana city embarks on a $5.4 million project to power its city buildings, street lights and traffic signals with solar. (Columbus Republic)
• Researchers at an Ohio university have been awarded a $1.47 million federal grant to test new high-output solar panels. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
VOLKSWAGEN SETTLEMENT: A wide array of businesses are contacting Minnesota officials with suggestions on how to spend $47 million in Volkswagen settlement funds the state will receive to reduce air emissions. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Drivers anticipate the release of Tesla’s Model 3, but the company still faces challenges as it moves into mass production. (Columbus Dispatch)
GRID:
• A Wisconsin dairy farmer is suing Xcel Energy for more than $6 million, claiming that the utility’s stray voltage from transmission lines harmed his cattle. (LaCrosse Tribune)
• A leaked draft of the Department of Energy’s controversial grid study says renewables aren’t a major threat to grid reliability, but claims anti-coal policies have “destroyed jobs and economic growth.” (Greentech Media)
WIND: Officials are staying mum about a shipment of wind turbine components being loaded at a dock in eastern Michigan. (MLive)
HYDROPOWER: A conference in Illinois this week will explore the potential for hydroelectric facilities along the Mississippi River. (Quad-City Times)
PIPELINES: An increase in planned natural gas pipelines out of Appalachia through Ohio is concerning landowners and clean energy advocates who question whether the projects are necessary. (Center for Public Integrity)
CLEAN ENERGY: Clean energy will be a “major component” of a mysterious manufacturing project that’s in the early stages of development in eastern Michigan. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
OIL AND GAS: Oil producers in the Bakken region are drilling wells faster than they can bring them online due to a shortage in experience workers. (Bismarck Tribune)
RESEARCH: A federal vehicle and fuel emissions testing laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan is recognized for cutting the costs of its operations. (MLive)
RATES:
• Xcel Energy customers in Wisconsin will see bill refunds after the utility over-collected on rates due declining residential energy use and a slump in frac sand mining. (LaCrosse Tribune)
• A new report says wind energy is helping keep energy costs low in Iowa, which joins Illinois and Wisconsin for having some of the lowest monthly energy costs in the U.S. (Dubuque Telegraph Herald)
COMMENTARY: A columnist says Ohio lawmakers’ attempts to control appointments to the state’s Oil and Gas Leasing Commission would unfairly strip power from the executive branch. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)