OHIO: Gov. John Kasich says repeal of the state’s renewable energy standard is “off the table.” (Toledo Blade)

COAL:
• Researchers say Illinois coal mines could provide a cleaner energy source by accelerating natural methane production. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Michigan coal plant is shutting down after 75 years of operation. (MLive)

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SOLAR:
• Wisconsin regulators approve a Madison utility’s community solar program; background on the plan here. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Midwest Energy News archive)
• A flood of community solar gardens is expected in the Twin Cities area. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

WIND:
• A proposed Wisconsin project could break a five-year dry spell in wind development in the state. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Three Michigan townships impose moratoriums on new wind development. (Port Huron Times Herald)
• A New York company is proposing to use third-party leasing to install small wind turbines throughout the Midwest. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

CLIMATE: Scientists say they can now confidently assess the role of climate change in extreme weather events. (InsideClimate News)

POLLUTION: Citing the Flint water crisis as an example, advocates in Michigan push the state’s attorney general to drop a legal action opposing EPA mercury rules. (Midwest Energy News)

FRACKING: An Ohio court rejects legal arguments for community “bill of rights” laws used to restrict drilling. (Athens News)

OIL AND GAS:
• A Detroit suburb files a lawsuit to block drilling on a church property in a residential area. (MLive)
• North Dakota is losing $90,000 a day in tax revenue as production continues to slow. (Forum News Service)
• Improperly sealed holes drilled for oil exploration in North Dakota are causing flood damage to farm fields. (Bismarck Tribune)
• 30,000 gallons of gasoline are released from a pipeline spill near Sioux City. (Sioux City Journal)

PIPELINES:
• Developers of a Bakken oil pipeline through Iowa say they’ve secured voluntary easements on 82 percent of impacted properties. (Des Moines Register)
• An Iowa lawmaker says he’ll sign a lease for the project, which runs through land his family has owned since 1878, now that it’s been approved by regulators. (Radio Iowa)

CLEAN ECONOMY: Rural Minnesota is seeing economic benefits from clean energy. (West Central Tribune)

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ELECTRIC CARS: For the first time, the Twin Cities auto show will have a room devoted to electric vehicles. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

COMMENTARY: How the Clean Energy Accord can help boost Iowa’s economy. (NRDC Switchboard)