SOLAR: Nebraska is set to quintuple the amount of solar being produced in the state this year. (NET)

ALSO:
• Advocates say a northern Minnesota utility’s community solar program would limit third-party developers in its service territory. (Midwest Energy News)
The Minnesota Court of Appeals rejects arguments from a third-party developer that state regulators acted improperly by approving Xcel Energy’s community solar program. (Renewable+Law)
Construction starts today on a 50,000-panel solar project in southwest Michigan. (Associated Press)
A group looks to heighten solar awareness for residents in Columbus, Indiana. (The Republic)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Michigan Energy Fair announces two new partners: The Sustainable Living Summit 2016 and The Great Lakes Emergency Preparedness Expo, June 24-25, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, Michigan. For complete information go to www.glrea.org ***

POLICY:
• A diverse coalition of groups stand in opposition to proposed energy reform in Michigan, saying the bills would cost ratepayers $4 billion over the next 10 years. (MLive)
The Michigan Senate holds off on voting on the bills so lawmakers can have more time to understand what’s in them. (Detroit News)

RATES:
• A new auction process in Ohio looks to slow or halt the rising costs of a utility program that helps low-income residents pay their bills. (Columbus Dispatch)
Several municipalities in Indiana and southwest Michigan look to break out of contracts with their utility early to get a better deal elsewhere. (South Bend Tribune)

NUCLEAR: Plants in Illinois and Ohio are important test cases of efforts to bail out uneconomic nuclear facilities. (New York Times)

MICROGRID: A Minnesota university will begin work this summer on a $2.1 million microgrid research and testing facility. (St. Thomas Newsroom)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: State officials across the country continue to hold closed-door meetings about the future of the federal rules. (ClimateWire)

PIPELINES: Iowa regulators will meet today to discuss whether a developer can start construction on the Dakota Access pipeline in areas of the state. (Radio Iowa)

EMISSIONS: State officials submit a plan to the U.S. EPA to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in southeast Michigan. (Associated Press)

WIND:
• North Dakota regulators will hold a hearing today on a proposed 100-megawatt wind project. (Associated Press)
Officials in Springfield, Illinois are upset over the ongoing costs of a wind contract signed 10 years ago as part of a deal with the Sierra Club. (State Journal-Register)

BIOFUELS: Two ethanol plants in Nebraska reopen as their parent company, Spain-based Abengoa, continues to restructure during bankruptcy. (KTIC)

MERGER: In its bid to buy rival Westar Energy, Great Plains Energy agrees to maintain much of Westar’s presence in downtown Topeka. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

TRANSPORTATION: Illinois drivers continue to face long waits at emissions testing facilities for their vehicles. (CBS Chicago)

COMMENTARY: How technology being developed by Exxon Mobil could be a “game-changer” in the fight against climate change. (Detroit News)

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Andy Balaskovitz

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.

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