NATURAL GAS: Clean energy groups are scrutinizing separate plans to build natural gas-powered plants in Michigan to replace coal, pushing utilities to consider the potential of renewables and energy efficiency. (Midwest Energy News)
CLEAN ENERGY: How evolving grid technology, as well as new and existing state policies, have contributed to clean energy job growth in Illinois (video). (Midwest Energy News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Dream of Driving Electric? The Illinois Solar Energy Association is raffling a 2017 Tesla Model X! Only 2,500 tickets sold. 1 for $100, 4 for $300. store.illinoissolar.org ***
PIPELINES:
• Minnesota regulators release the final environmental review of Enbridge’s plan to replace its Line 3 pipeline, which analyzes environmental and social costs and contrasts several potential routes. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• North Dakota regulators reschedule a public hearing on whether the developer of the Dakota Access pipeline violated state rules during construction. (Associated Press)
SOLAR:
• Developers and government officials in Minnesota are turning to contaminated brownfield properties as sites for solar projects. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A solar project expected to be completed by the end of the year at Michigan State University will cover 5,000 parking spaces on campus. (Michigan Radio)
• Officials in Traverse City, Michigan approve a green tariff rate to buy solar energy and help meet municipal renewable energy goals. (Traverse City Record Eagle)
COAL: Politicians and coal producers in the Illinois Basin criticize calls to subsidize Appalachian coal. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
RENEWABLES: Commonwealth Edison files tariff changes with Illinois regulators that would help develop community solar and other renewable energy projects. (Utility Dive)
WIND:
• It’s still uncertain whether increased setback distances will sink a proposed wind project in South Dakota. (Watertown Public Opinion)
• Negotiations will continue over planned payments between two companies for wind energy generated in South Dakota. (Watertown Public Opinion)
OIL AND GAS: A federal judge rules that drilling can continue at least temporarily at a controversial oil site near a lake in North Dakota. (Bismarck Tribune)
NUCLEAR: The operator of a nuclear plant in southwest Michigan submits plans to federal regulators over potential, albeit unlikely, vulnerabilities to the facility. (MLive)
BIOFUELS:
• At a major industry conference in Nebraska, Gov. Pete Ricketts touts the benefits of higher ethanol blends for the state’s agriculture sector. (Omaha World-Herald)
• An Iowa company helps open the first large-scale corn ethanol production plant in Brazil. (Radio Iowa)
***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.***
COMMENTARY: Executives at an energy storage company say the U.S. market could grow by $11 billion over the next five years as more utilities get involved. (Utility Dive)
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error a sponsored link in Thursday’s digest listed an incorrect date for the MW Energy Storage Summit. The event takes place on September 15.