OHIO: Gov. John Kasich says he’ll reinstate “unpalatable” clean energy standards if state lawmakers move to gut the laws, which have been frozen since 2014. (Columbus Business First)
SOLAR:
• A rural electric co-op in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has backed off a plan to restructure its net metering program that originally infuriated some of its members. (Midwest Energy News)
• Following the adoption of a solar-friendly ordinance last fall, a Minnesota town sees a surge in new projects. (Pioneer Press)
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CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Wisconsin and other Midwest states are part of the coalition appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court to place an emergency stay on the federal rules. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Utilities and environmental groups are at odds over how carbon trading should be incorporated into emissions goals. (ClimateWire)
FEDERAL LEASES: Emboldened by the Obama administration’s recent moratorium on new coal mining leases on public land, advocates and scientists hope the policy will expand to include oil and gas leases. (Climate Central)
DEMAND RESPONSE: The U.S. Supreme Court did a “masterful job” explaining how demand response works and why the public should care about it. (Washington Post)
COAL: Detroit officials are considering a permit application to potentially store coal byproducts on riverfront property near downtown. (Detroit Free Press)
STORAGE: Developers hope Akron, Ohio will be a leader in demonstrating battery storage for solar projects. (Crain’s Cleveland Business)
RENEWABLES: In Minnesota, adopting more wind and solar is becoming an economically sound alternative to fossil fuels. (West Central Tribune)
CONGRESS: The U.S. Senate begins work on a comprehensive, bipartisan energy plan. (WHO-TV)
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UTILITIES: Consumers Energy’s president and CEO is stepping down later this year, making way for the company’s first female leader in its 129-year history. (MLive)
COMMENTARY: Michigan lawmakers are again taking up a “pipeline secrecy” bill that threatens the health of the Great Lakes and “undermines crucial accountability measures.” (Bridge Magazine)