EQUITY: Black and Latinx families in Milwaukee pay disproportionately high energy bills as a share of their household income compared to White families, according to a Sierra Club report. (Energy News Network)
PIPELINES:
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to issue recommendations on the future of the Dakota Access pipeline at a federal hearing today. (Reuters)
• Bakken crude oil producers would likely reroute shipments out of the region by rail and truck if the Dakota Access pipeline is forced to close. (S&P Global)
• Enbridge’s CEO expects to complete and begin service on an expanded Line 3 in northern Minnesota by the end of the year. (Natural Gas Intelligence)
***SPONSORED LINK: On April 9, join U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and climate leaders for a conversation about how Congress can pass a meaningful climate and infrastructure package that delivers good paying clean energy jobs, and provides the path to 100% clean electricity by 2035. Presented by Fresh Energy.***
TRANSPORTATION:
• Researchers at Michigan and Ohio universities seek to reduce fuel and energy consumption with automated and connected vehicle technologies. (Centered)
• Electric vehicles play a larger role at the St. Louis Auto Show as automakers prepare to launch more models. (FOX 2)
POLICY: An Illinois municipal utility official raises cost and reliability concerns over with the proposed Clean Energy Jobs Act that calls for 100% renewable energy by 2050. (WICS)
SOLAR:
• In several states across the U.S., solar advocates and utilities are at odds over fair compensation rates for sending excess power sent to the grid under net metering programs. (Inside Climate News)
• Advocates say a recent ruling from Indiana regulators scaling back compensation for rooftop solar customers is a “dramatic setback.” (PV Magazine)
• Kansas regulators approve refunds for some rooftop solar customers who were part of a previous rate structure. (KSNW)
OIL & GAS: Changes to an Indiana bill would allow universities to mandate stronger green building standards but would still prevent cities from enacting natural gas bans. (WFYI)
UTILITIES: Ameren Missouri seeks to increase rates to generate nearly $300 million more a year to help pay for grid infrastructure and renewable energy projects. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
BIOFUELS: Industry groups hope to see an Iowa bill pass this year that’s aimed at boosting the state’s ethanol consumption and infrastructure. (Radio Iowa)
***SPONSORED LINK: What does the future hold as the U.S. accelerates its transition to clean energy? Join the Energy News Network on April 22 for a conversation about what’s next for coal country. Register today!***
NUCLEAR: Police arrest a southeastern Michigan man who claimed to have a bomb in his vehicle as he approached the entrance to an Ohio nuclear plant. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• Publicly owned utilities can give more power to Michigan ratepayers through lower bills and supportive renewable energy policies, say two University of Michigan graduate students. (Energy News Network)
• The owner of an Iowa gas station says state legislation mandating ethanol sales gives customers fewer choices, though an editorial board says it would benefit the state’s economy and environment. (Des Moines Register, Telegraph Herald)