CLIMATE: Michigan researchers have developed a way to assign financial liability to greenhouse gas-emitting power plants, which could have implications for potential lawsuits against utilities. (Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY: Despite a weakened energy efficiency law in Indiana, advocates score a victory in a recent regulatory decision against a utility’s efficiency proposal. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Grid Modernization Forum, January 19-20 in Chicago, is a focused industry conference examining the integration of renewables, energy storage, microgrids, engaging the customer, and key regulatory issues.  Enter “ME-News” when registering for 10% off.  ***

SOLAR: A Minnesota-based solar company raises $25 million in equity — mostly from leading investment firm Goldman Sachs — to expand its business following three consecutive years of growth. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

COAL:
• Arch Coal’s bankruptcy is not expected to disrupt shipments to Minnesota utilities. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
An Illinois community braces for a financial hit as a local coal mine shuts down. (Hillsboro Journal-News)

EMISSIONS: While state renewable standards are providing important climate change benefits, they have only “just scratched the surface” on emissions reductions. (Climate Central)

STATE OF THE UNION: “If you were a time traveler from 2009, you would not recognize the energy world of 2016.” (EnergyWire)

CYBERSECURITY: A new book by Ted Koppel warns that U.S. emergency officials are not prepared to deal with major cyberattacks against the grid. (Energy Times)

DEMAND RESPONSE: Clean-energy advocates are hopeful that, as the U.S. Supreme Court takes more time to decide on a FERC energy conservation rule, the less likely it will be killed altogether. (Greenwire)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join dynamic CEO Mary Powell of Green Mountain Power, renewables thought leader James Tong, Wisconsin utilities, and renewable industry experts for “Shaping the Utility of the Future,” Thursday, January 21st in Madison, Wisconsin. ***

RAIL: Industry officials predict a “freight recession” coming this year as weak demand for coal and crude oil persists. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY:
• Arch Coal says if it can unload debt that it can be profitable again, which continues to ignore market reality. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
In Ohio, “There is so much to gain if we could only shift away from rhetoric and toward practical, smartly crafted clean energy policy.” (NRDC Switchboard)
There’s “no reason” to prohibit nuclear power as a potential future energy source in Wisconsin. (Portage Daily Register)
Business advocates in Minnesota say research, development and “measurable goals” are a better way to deploy renewables than “restrictive state mandates.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
Requiring more disclosure on why some oil and gas companies receive reduced fines for spills in North Dakota makes sense. (Bismarck Tribune)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.