GRID: Michigan’s attorney general is gathering public comments on recent power outages for testimony before state regulators, as storms last night again left tens of thousands of people without electricity. (Michigan Radio, Detroit News)

PIPELINES:
• Minnesota’s Supreme Court declines to hear an appeal of a recent ruling upholding approval of the Line 3 pipeline. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Line 3 opponents say a fence around the State Capitol and increased law enforcement presence is an “excessive and harsh response” to a peaceful demonstration planned for today. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

OIL & GAS: North Dakota’s attorney general files a motion seeking to resume oil and gas leasing on public lands. (Forum New Service)

CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to spend $2.1 billion in federal pandemic relief funds includes $40 million for electric vehicle charging stations, $50 million for home efficiency upgrades, and $100 million to attract clean energy manufacturers to the state. (MiBiz)

NUCLEAR: An Illinois congressman urges President Biden to use emergency powers to save the state’s nuclear plants. (Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION:
• In a visit to Minneapolis, a top federal transit official touts the infrastructure plan recently passed by the U.S. Senate, which would provide $856 million in public transportation funds to Minnesota. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A proposed low-carbon fuel standard bill in Minnesota is drawing less Republican opposition than a recent regulation requiring manufacturers to provide more electric vehicles. (MinnPost) 

UTILITIES: Cleveland mayoral candidates offer ideas to resolve mismanagement and other issues at Cleveland Public Power. (Cleveland.com)

SOLAR:
• Former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly touted the benefits of solar power for farmers at an event in rural Indiana yesterday. (95.3 MNC)
• Officials from Alliant Energy pledge to be transparent with local officials as they pursue multiple solar projects in southern Wisconsin. (Beloit Daily News)

BATTERIES: Illinois’ attorney general is suing a battery company over a June warehouse fire that forced thousands of people to evacuate. (CBS Chicago)

COMMENTARY:
• An editorial board says Iowa needs a dedicated office for fighting and responding to climate change. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
• Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts says “climate extremists” are undermining national security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and touts a carbon-capture proposal for the state’s largest coal plant. (Scottsbluff Star-Herald)
• An editorial board says a bill to revive energy efficiency programs is “a modest start at restoring a sane energy policy for Ohio.” (Toledo Blade)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.