WIND: North Carolina takes the first step toward what observers say is a crucial study of the state’s offshore wind manufacturing potential. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: Ohio regulators rule an offshore wind project in Lake Erie can move forward under a condition that turbines not run at night for eight months a year, which the developer says “may well be fatal to the entire project.” (Energy News Network)

***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.***

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Some clean energy supporters say U.S. House Democrats’ $3 trillion stimulus bill ignores the industry’s effort to secure federal aid. (Politico)
• A bipartisan group of U.S. senators sign a letter asking the Trump administration to extend deadlines for federal renewable energy tax credits due to pandemic-related delays. (news release) 

SOLAR:
• Illinois solar backers are making a last-ditch legislative effort to get more time to spend about $200 million collected for solar projects before it is refunded to ratepayers. (Energy News Network)
• Amazon says it will add 615 megawatts of solar to its portfolio, including projects in Virginia and Ohio. (Greentech Media)

COAL:
• Murray Energy defaults on its $440 million bankruptcy financing package, complicating the company’s recovery as it seeks support from lenders. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)
• The Navajo Transitional Energy Company announces a new round of furloughs and layoffs at its Wyoming coal mine. (Casper Star-Tribune)

OIL AND GAS: Emails show the Bureau of Land Management may have violated its own rules in extending royalty breaks to oil companies and continuing lease sales during the economic downturn. (High Country News)

PIPELINES:
• Legal experts say the recent rejection of a $1 billion natural gas connection to Long Island may be the first time a state emissions law has been used to defeat a pipeline. (InsideClimate News)
• The first U.S. section of the Keystone XL pipeline is completed in northern Montana while the developer prepares worker housing in South Dakota. (Associated Press)

GRID: FERC approves an overhaul of the PJM Interconnection’s reserve market, which one member warns will result in higher costs for consumers. (Utility Dive)

STORAGE: An MIT study finds electric vehicle batteries that are no longer roadworthy could still provide grid-scale energy storage for more than a decade. (MIT News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.*** 

UTILITIES: Utility workers press for federal standards to improve worker safety during the coronavirus pandemic. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY: An energy attorney says efficiency investments will be critical to ensure an equitable economic recovery following the coronavirus pandemic. (ROI-NJ)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.