TRANSMISSION: A judge revokes a key federal permit for a planned 225-mile transmission line in central Nebraska due to wildlife concerns. (Omaha World-Herald)
ALSO: National clean energy groups launch a campaign to build support for investments in the transmission system they say would save consumers $47 billion a year. (Utility Dive)
***SPONSORED LINK: Coping and Building Better in This Moment is the first in a summer series of town hall conversations from Elevate Energy. Register on Eventbrite for the June 18, 4-5 pm event and join the discussion.***
UTILITIES:
• Illinois regulators reach an agreement with utilities to expand payment flexibility and extend protections for customers struggling to pay bills during the pandemic. (Chicago Tribune)
• ComEd says more steady electricity usage with fewer significant changes in peak demand has resulted from the pandemic. (WNIJ)
SOLAR:
• One solar advocate says a request before federal regulators to take away states’ control over net metering is “pretty close to saying solar is illegal.” (InsideClimate News)
• Two brothers that formed a solar company in southwestern Wisconsin three years ago say business is growing quickly. (WIZM)
POWER PLANTS: A bankruptcy judge approves a settlement that will keep Energy Harbor as a partner in the company that operates two coal plants along the Ohio River. (E&E News, subscription)
RENEWABLES: An Iowa county board raises concerns about state regulators proposed rule changes that would affect local jurisdiction on renewable energy projects. (Ames Tribune)
TRANSPORTATION: A coalition that promotes “transportation fairness” is mostly composed of oil and gas trade associations that opposes policies that could speed the transition to electrification. (DeSmog)
WIND: At a visit in Iowa, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette responded to questions about President Trump’s prior criticism of wind energy: “While wind energy is very inexpensive, it’s also intermittent.” (KCCI)
***SPONSORED LINK: Center Out: A Strategy for Climate Success will be hosted by the Great Plains Institute on June 25. Join the conversation about how the Midwest can lead the clean energy transformation. Click here for more and to RSVP.***
PIPELINES: The Keystone XL pipeline developer files a brief in support of the Trump administration’s effort to revive a previous pipeline permitting program for projects that cross waterways. (E&E News, subscription)
COMMENTARY: A former North Dakota and federal energy regulator says an incorrect narrative is building that the Coal Creek power plant is closing because of wind energy. (Inforum)