SOLAR: The Kansas Supreme Court rules that state regulators engaged in illegal price discrimination by allowing utilities to collect higher fees from customers with rooftop solar. (Topeka Capital Journal)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• Utility franchise agreements in northern Illinois give municipalities free energy at some buildings but cost ratepayers millions and remove cities’ incentives for clean energy investments. (Energy News Network)
• Nearly half of Minnesota’s power came from zero-carbon sources in 2019 as coal consumption continues to decline, according to a new report. (Star Tribune)
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OIL & GAS:
• A Michigan Court of Appeals ruling may pave the way for a November ballot proposal on a statewide hydraulic fracturing ban. (Associated Press)
• U.S. oil-by-rail volumes have declined 11% from a year ago as new pipelines and price declines offer cheaper alternatives. (DeSmog)
COAL: Murray Energy tells state officials it may lay off 508 workers in eastern Ohio as it tries to sell assets as part of its bankruptcy case. (Columbus Dispatch)
PIPELINES:
• The Canadian oil crisis opens the door for a last-ditch effort by Line 3 opponents to persuade Minnesota regulators to rethink its approval of the project. (Star Tribune)
• Developers of the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines push their plans forward while still facing uncertainty about the projects’ futures. (DeSmog)
BIOFUELS: A Michigan ethanol plant considers supplying alcohol for sanitizer under new FDA guidelines, but bigger challenges loom for the industry as fuel consumption drops. (MiBiz)
UTILITIES: Indiana utilities do not anticipate environmental compliance issues as state officials consider relaxing enforcement during the coronavirus pandemic. (Indianapolis Star)
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EFFICIENCY: Four Michigan cities rank in the top 10 nationally for the most energy efficiency-certified buildings among small cities. (MiBiz)
COMMENTARY: Regulators in oil-producing states, including North Dakota, can limit production within their borders, which could be part of the U.S. response to a global oil supply deal, an analyst says. (Forbes)