WIND: Ohio officials have signed off on the application for an offshore wind farm in Lake Erie, allowing a formal review of the project to begin. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
ALSO: How lack of a consistent federal policy is preventing Ohio and other states from developing stronger industries around wind energy. (American Prospect)
***SPONSORED LINK: Energy leaders — make your nominations today for the 2017 Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40. Open to nominations from all sectors involved in the Midwest’s energy transition.***
EFFICIENCY:
• Utilities and clean energy advocates in Illinois see smart thermostats as a key energy-management tool in the future. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Minnesota city is replacing nearly 2,000 streetlights with LEDs. (Mankato Free Press)
NATURAL GAS: An analysis filed with Michigan regulators says a proposal to finance a new natural gas plant in the Upper Peninsula would overcharge ratepayers by more than $372 million. (ABC 10)
UTILITIES:
• A Minnesota utility’s 100% renewable energy program is already two-thirds subscribed. (Finance & Commerce)
• Michigan regulators approve a nearly $30 million rate increase to upgrade natural gas infrastructure. (WLNS)
SOLAR:
• The mayor of Bloomington, Indiana wants the city to add 5 MW of solar capacity for municipal operations. (WBIW)
• The PJM Interconnection says it is prepared for a loss of solar generation during the eclipse later this month. (news release)
PIPELINES: Work is underway in Wisconsin to replace the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline. (WPR News)
FRAC SAND: A judge dismisses a case brought by Wisconsin landowners trying to block a frac sand mine using a novel legal approach. (La Crosse Tribune)
WASTE TO ENERGY: A Wisconsin grocery store chain is using industrial-size garbage disposals to prep food waste for use in anaerobic digesters. (Fox 6)
POLITICS: A Michigan law allowing 180 days to gather signatures for ballot measures — including proposals to ban fracking and shut down a major pipeline — could face legal challenges. (Michigan Radio)
COMMENTARY: A columnist says climate change can no longer be considered “strictly a secular or liberal issue.” (Washington Times)