ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: Community advocates in Ohio work to make sure neither urban nor rural populations are left behind as the country transitions toward a carbon-free economy. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Lawmakers in Minnesota’s split legislature have found little common ground over the state’s approach to electric vehicles. (MinnPost)

POLICY: Wisconsin regulators will consider new policy frameworks on compensating utility customers who generate their own electricity and send excess amounts back to the grid. (Wisconsin State Journal)

TRANSMISSION:
• In his latest message to shareholders, Warren Buffett touts the benefits of a major transmission build-out to support clean energy. (Inside Climate News)
• FERC Chairman Richard Glick says large-scale transmission projects are needed to help meet renewable energy targets. (Reuters)

SOLAR: Developers of a planned 150 MW solar project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula hope the project will educate the community on the benefits of renewable energy. (The North Wind)

EFFICIENCY:
• The nonprofit responsible for developing model building energy codes used by cities and states nationwide finalizes a controversial plan to strip voting rights from thousands of public sector members — a move clean energy advocates fear will slow progress on energy efficiency. (Energy News Network)
• Iowa City will offer matching grants of up to $250,000 to businesses that want to make energy efficiency upgrades. (Daily Iowan)

BIOFUELS:
• Iowa lawmakers consider a bill proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds that would create in-state ethanol blending requirements. (N’West Iowa Review)
• Iowa’s ethanol industry has faced financial challenges during the pandemic while electric vehicles pose a long-term threat to the sector, experts say. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

PIPELINES:
• Experts say President Biden may have to get involved in the legal dispute over the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac as Canadian officials say a shutdown would be a threat to the country’s energy security. (CBC, Toronto Globe and Mail)
• A Dakota Access pipeline protester who refused to provide testimony to a federal grand jury is jailed again. (Bismarck Tribune)

WIND: Illinois county officials consider wind zoning regulations that would limit shadow flicker around livestock. (Journal-Republican)

COMMENTARY:
• Local units of government should maintain control over whether to approve large wind and solar projects in Indiana, an editorial board says. (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)
• A Minnesota county’s ambitious, local climate action plan “could lead the way for other local units of government,” an editorial board says. (Star Tribune)

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.