COAL: Murray Energy issues layoff notices for more than 1,500 workers, citing billions of dollars in debt and reduced demand as it moves through bankruptcy. (Wheeling News-Register)
ALSO:
• A southern Illinois power cooperative plans to retire its largest coal unit as early as this fall, which is expected to save $125 million over a decade. (Southern Illinoisan)
• A corn processing facility in Lafayette, Indiana, will transition its power source from a coal-fired boiler to a natural gas combined heat and power system, cutting emissions and water use. (Lafayette Journal-Courier)
***SPONSORED LINK: Renew Missouri is hosting a Continuing Legal Education tackling utility ratemaking and energy policy in Kansas. Participate virtually or in person in Lenexa, Kansas on June 12. Click here to register or for more information.***
UTILITIES: Based on a request from state regulators, Minnesota utilities are examining generation projects that could help jumpstart the state’s economy during the pandemic. (MinnPost)
PIPELINES:
• State officials will hold a virtual public hearing on July 1 on Enbridge’s plan to reroute the Line 5 pipeline around a Native American reservation in northern Wisconsin. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• The CEO of Enbridge says while the company will continue to invest in oil pipelines, it will also direct increasing amounts of capital toward natural gas and renewable energy projects. (Edmonton Journal)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The pandemic could cause a supply shortage of key metals used to produce electric vehicle batteries, though drops in EV demand could be more pronounced than effects on battery supplies, according to a report. (E&E News, subscription)
WIND: A renewable energy coalition says Iowa’s wind industry has a ripple effect across the state’s economy and helps fund local infrastructure projects. (Marshalltown Times-Republican)
NUCLEAR: We Energies withdraws a request to increase rates next year to cover rising costs associated with power purchased from the state’s only nuclear plant. (Wisconsin State Journal)
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CARBON CAPTURE: North Dakota officials advance plans for a research project testing the viability of carbon capture and storage near the Coal Creek Station, which could help secure a new plant owner. (Prairie Public News)
COMMENTARY:
• Illinois lawmakers still have an opportunity to pass legislation that prevents a major increase for ratepayers and ensures wind and solar development, an editorial board says. (Chicago Sun-Times)
• A Joyce Foundation official says investments in clean forms of public transportation, including electric buses, can help Chicago’s long-term recovery from the pandemic. (Crain’s Chicago Business) (Editor’s note: The Joyce Foundation is a funder of Midwest Energy News but does not have access to our editorial process. Read our code of ethics here.)