CLEAN POWER PLAN: At a meeting in Detroit, utilities and environmental groups find consensus over a regional approach and emissions trading to comply with the Clean Power Plan. (EnergyWire)
ALSO: Grid operator MISO says setting a price for carbon emissions would be an effective way for power generators to comply with the plan. (EnergyWire)
***SPONSORED LINK: Learn about the latest in renewable energy and sustainability in Central Wisconsin at The Energy Fair, June 19-21. Features include keynote speaker Jon Wellinghoff, workshops, exhibitors, entertainment, and more.***
SEQUESTRATION: New technology is being tested at an Illinois carbon sequestration site that can detect above-ground CO2 emissions in near real-time. (Midwest Energy News)
CYBERATTACK: Experts warn utilities that cyber and physical attacks on transmission infrastructure are a looming threat. (SNL)
LAYOFFS
• Peabody Energy says it will cut 250 corporate and regional jobs, including 50 in downtown St. Louis, as the company drives down its cost curve during the industry’s decline. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Facing increasing pressure from Republicans, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is planning to cut employees in an effort to streamline the agency. (The Hill)
• American Coal Co. notifies workers that there could be layoffs in August. (The Southern Illinoisan)
• A community college in the Ohio Valley will train laid off coal miners in alternative fields. (WTRF-TV)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The federal government will partner with utilities in an effort to expand domestic electric-vehicle production. (The Hill)
OIL SPILL: Enbridge will pay an additional $4 million for restoration projects as part of a settlement reached with state, federal and tribal officials over the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill. (MLive)
RATES: At a conference in Wisconsin, experts discuss alternatives to higher fixed charges as distributed generation grows. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
DRILLING: A North Dakota company has developed technology that will recycle oil waste created at drilling sites. (Bismarck Tribune)
BEYOND COAL: A look inside the origins and the unlikely successes of the Sierra Club’s campaign to block all new coal plants in the U.S. (MinnPost)
RENEWABLES: California researchers show how each state can convert to 100 percent renewables by 2050. (Phys.org)
OIL TRAIN: A Minnesota mayor wants to close a railroad crossing with heavy oil-train traffic that he sees as a disaster waiting to happen. (CBS Minnesota)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association presents its annual Michigan Renewable Energy Fair June 26-27. Features include an electric vehicle showcase, workshops, renewable energy demonstrations, kids’ activities, and much more! ***
COMMENTARY: A Michigan lawmaker pushes his plan to expand the state’s renewable energy and efficiency standards. (The News-Herald)