EMISSIONS: Duluth, Minnesota, continues to reduce emissions from downtown buildings as it expands a redesigned district heating system after converting boilers from coal to natural gas. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit from Minnesota auto dealers against a state agency over proposed rules that would require them to provide a certain number of zero-emission vehicles for sale in the state. (Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: “Achieve Your Renewable Goals With Geothermal” will be held virtually on March 3, and explore innovative ways for governments, industry, schools, utilities, and homeowners to use geothermal heat pumps to meet their renewable energy goals. There is no cost to attend. Register today.***

OHIO:
• A federal judge accepts a felony racketeering guilty plea from a political action committee connected to the scandal involving the state’s power plant bailout law. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appoints a former state appeals court judge to a full five-year term on the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. (Cleveland.com)

SOLAR:
• A University of Wisconsin campus plans to install five acres of solar panels to supply about 17% of its electricity needs and save $217,000 a year. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Wisconsin regulators continue to grapple with legal and regulatory questions over leasing solar panels, which could be an option to reduce upfront project costs. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Minnesota consumer advocates say Xcel Energy could save customers billions of dollars with increased investments in utility-scale solar and distributed solar and storage. (PV Magazine)
• A Michigan appeals court says a judge erred in dismissing a solar company’s lawsuit challenging a township’s zoning ordinance without a hearing. (Lansing State Journal)

EFFICIENCY: Illinois officials say energy efficiency should be the foundation for electric grid upgrades that improve reliability. (State Journal-Register)

RENEWABLES: Indiana legislation that would create statewide regulations for wind and solar projects raises home-rule questions, some lawmakers say. (Dubois County Herald)

PIPELINES: Authorities say a suspicious device allegedly thrown during a Line 3 protest was not an explosive and evacuated residents were allowed to return home. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs an executive order declaring a state of energy emergency to ensure adequate propane delivery this week. (Associated Press)
• The North Dakota Senate passes amended legislation aimed at addressing mineral owners’ concerns over reduced royalty payments. (Bismarck Tribune)

UTILITIES: Ameren’s earnings rose in 2020 despite lower energy sales under new electric rates and returns on infrastructure investments. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

WIND:
• A utility seeks to equip a North Dakota wind project with technology that dims turbines’ blinking red lights at certains times of the day. (Bismarck Tribune)
• A Nebraska county loosens restrictions on wind turbine siting as local officials hope to spur more clean energy development. (NET)

COAL: A western Michigan coal plant near Lake Michigan is demolished ahead of plans for a small natural gas generator to replace the facility. (Grand Haven Tribune)

COMMENTARY:
• Iowa clean energy advocates call on continued investments in grid upgrades and energy storage to support renewable energy development and resilience. (Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier)
• A retired Minnesota Chamber of Commerce official commends the state for transitioning to cleaner energy but says commercial and industrial power rates remain too high. (Star Tribune)
• A Nebraska ethanol plant should remain closed for the foreseeable future as environmental contamination at the site remains a concern, an editorial board says. (Lincoln Journal Star)