SOLAR: Advocates say utilities are ignoring an Iowa Supreme Court ruling from last year by not offering net metering for third-party solar projects. (Midwest Energy News)
EMISSIONS: In the latest round of climate regulations, the Obama administration is expected today to announce new fuel-efficiency rules for heavy-duty trucks. (New York Times)
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OIL AND GAS:
• A sweeping new study shows that increased wastewater injections from oil and gas companies are triggering more earthquakes in the central United States. (Associated Press)
• Wisconsin Energy Corp. dives deeper into the compressed natural gas industry with a company that’s expanding in California. (Milwaukee Business Journal)
UTILITIES:
• Minnesota’s e21 Initiative is driving changes in utilities’ business model. (Utility Dive)
• Michigan’s two large investor-owned utilities pledge to spend $5 billion each on suppliers located within the state. (MLive)
BIOFUELS: Researchers in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri are among those selected by a federal agency to receive millions to accelerate the development of biofuel crops. (Biofuels Digest)
EFFICIENCY: Consumers Energy reimburses a Michigan college $66,000 after the school makes efficiency upgrades. (MLive)
COAL:
• More than 250 laid off Murray Energy employees were called back to work earlier this month. (Associated Press)
• A lobbyist for a St. Louis-based coal company says the Pope’s climate change Encyclical ignores the “global poverty” argument for coal. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
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TECHNOLOGY: EPA administrator Gina McCarthy tours a Michigan company’s facility specializing in advanced energy-saving technologies. (CBS Detroit)
COMMENTARY:
• Coal-dependent Missouri is in a good position to comply with the Clean Power Plan as it transitions to more renewables. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
• Michigan congressman sees the benefits of lifting the ban on oil exports. (MLive)
• Oil and gas development in North Dakota presents housing challenges for local governments. (Bismarck Tribune)