NOTE TO READERS: Midwest Energy News is taking a break for Independence Day. The email digest will return on Monday, July 6.
TRANSMISSION:
• A Michigan-based company is moving forward with a transmission project connecting Pennsylvania and Ontario with a 73-mile line along the floor of Lake Erie. (Midwest Energy News)
• Missouri regulators reject the proposed $2.2 billion Grain Belt Express, which sought to move wind energy from Kansas to Indiana. (Associated Press)
OHIO: Gov. Kasich vetoes a plan by the legislature to give power-plant owners a $72 million property-tax break, saying it needs further study. (Columbus Dispatch)
***SPONSORED LINK: Ready your nominations, the Midwest Energy News “40 under 40″ will open on July 15. We are looking for leaders and innovators from all sectors — industry, government, business, and advocacy. Download the sample nomination form now.***
COAL:
• With the exception of Japan, coal plants are being retired at a steady rate in major countries around the world. (Forbes)
• While a large Montana coal plant is profitable for now, analysts warn that retiring it may be more economical than installing pollution controls. (Associated Press)
SOLAR: Madison, Wisconsin moves closer to establishing a solar loan program for residents. (Capital Times)
PETCOKE: KCBX closed one of its two remaining petcoke storage facilities outside of Chicago on Tuesday. (CBS Chicago)
EPA: Factoring in health co-benefits as part of the economic equation for new air-pollution rules draws added scrutiny. (Greenwire)
OKLAHOMA: Oklahoma officials are hopeful that they’ve found a solution to problems with drought and earthquakes by treating produced water from oil and gas wells. (EnergyWire)
EFFICIENCY:
• The media fallout from a residential energy-efficiency study last week misses the point, researchers say. (UtilityDive)
• Meanwhile, analysts report that energy efficiency saved the U.S. $800 billion last year and, over the past 35 years, slashed the country’s energy intensity in half. (UtilityDive)
CLIMATE: Observers are hopeful that the wave of emission-reduction commitments from around the world this week will lead to a substantial agreement in Paris. (ClimateWire)
***SPONSORED LINK: Energy and the Earth, a free online offering by University of Wisconsin, gives you a big picture perspective on energy issues. Participate for free and at your own pace: www.moocs.wisc.edu***
UTILITY: As part of an agreement with state and federal regulators, the largest utility in Kansas would agree to refund ratepayers $10 million and decrease future rates slightly. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• A comprehensive energy plan for Michigan introduced Wednesday by Senate Republicans is a “disappointing reversal of clean energy policies.” (NRDC Switchboard)
• An ongoing effort to keep Minnesotans engaged on global climate negotiations. (MinnPost)
• Instead of focusing on oil exports for energy security, Michigan lawmakers should be propping up the state’s biofuels industry. (MLive)