SOLAR: A Minneapolis community solar developer is focusing its efforts on low-income residents, using faith-based groups and other entities as “backup subscribers.” (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO:
• Four schools within an Indiana school district are in the process of completing solar installations that officials say will meet 80 percent of each facility’s electric needs. (Merrillville Post-Tribune)
• A new study commissioned by a clean energy group in Michigan says utility customers with solar panels provide a net benefit to the grid. (Michigan Radio)
WIND:
• Multiple agriculture groups in South Dakota are urging voters to reject strict turbine setback distances adopted in one county. (Sioux City Journal)
• A major Michigan utility breaks ground on a 44-megawatt wind project, its third in the state. (MLive)
COAL: North Dakota’s congressional delegation is pushing the Trump administration to increase funding for “clean coal” research. (Bismarck Tribune)
PIPELINES: A controversial private security firm is no longer working for the Dakota Access pipeline developer in North Dakota. (Forum News Service)
PETCOKE: A Detroit City Council member introduces an ordinance to regulate the storage and transportation of industrial byproducts like petcoke to limit air pollution. (Metro Times)
EFFICIENCY:
• Officials in Toledo, Ohio are considering three areas of the city for an LED streetlight pilot program. (Toledo Blade)
• City officials are negotiating plans with a utility to operate a new LED streetlight network in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
BIOFUELS: Citing “market realities,” the U.S. EPA is proposing to reduce the amount of biofuels required to be blended with gasoline and diesel next year under a federal law. (Reuters)
REGULATION: A former executive director of the Nebraska Public Service Commission has been selected to fill the position once again. (NTV)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: More than a dozen states now impose fees on electric vehicle drivers, with Michigan and Minnesota introducing fees this year. (Greentech Media)
COMMENTARY:
• An Iowa congressman says the wind industry is a strong job-provider in his state, and “was shocked that President Trump would come to Cedar Rapids and attack it.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• An official with electric vehicle charging company ChargePoint outlines best practices that utilities should use to help foster EV adoption among customers. (Utility Dive)