OHIO: State lawmakers aim for “quick passage” of a bill to suspend renewable and efficiency standards indefinitely, hoping to get it done before the end of the year. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
CLEAN TECH: A labor union-backed training center in Illinois that has been around for a century has an increased focus on training workers in clean energy technology. (Midwest Energy News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join Greentech Media at Solar Summit for over two days of unrivaled networking opportunities and innovative, engaging panel sessions that will provide a unique mix of market intelligence and coordination among industry players. To get 10% off your registration, use our code: MWENERGY10***
OIL BY RAIL: Following new federal regulations last year on unsafe oil tank cars, only 225 of roughly 110,000 tank cars have been retrofitted, despite public assurances suggesting otherwise. (DeSmog Blog)
WIND: Iowa’s growing dependence on wind signifies a broader shift across the Midwest to cleaner energy. (EnergyWire)
COAL: An Illinois Democrat plans to introduce legislation today meant to be an “innovative investment” in the state’s struggling coal industry. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)
MICHIGAN: Federal regulators reject challenges from a variety of entities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula against cost allocations planned to keep three power plants open there. (RTO Insider)
SOLAR:
• Chicago-based ComEd pursues demand charges for residential customers, which would be a “novel” proposal in the Midwest. (Utility Dive)
• A township southwest of Chicago considers allowing a solar project to be developed on a 56-acre farm. (Daily Southtown)
UTILITIES:
• Business and ratepayer advocates protest recent bill charges added by Ohio utility AEP. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Andre Porter, the former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, will be replaced by Asim Haque, who is “seen as a wonkish commissioner” and one willing to lead research on the Clean Power Plan. (Columbus Business First)
OIL AND GAS: Questions remain about the extent of groundwater and soil contamination in a national forest in Michigan decades after an oil pipeline spill there. (Detroit Free Press)
NUCLEAR: A federal plan to do exploratory drilling on the feasibility of storing nuclear waste continues to run into fierce opposition in South Dakota. (Bismarck Tribune)
STORAGE: Illinois-based construction and mining manufacturer Caterpillar enters the microgrid market with new products that combine solar and storage with its power-generation equipment. (Utility Dive)
FRAC SAND: Opponents from Minnesota and Wisconsin call for a ban on frac sand mining ahead of an industry event. (LaCrosse Tribune)
GRID:
• A new report by PJM says state policies — such as those passed for two utilities in Ohio — that affect wholesale power markets can limit the effectiveness of deregulated markets. (RTO Insider)
• MISO considers changes to its forward capacity auction for southern Illinois after recent opposition from stakeholders over the process. (RTO Insider)
COMMENTARY: A Minnesota utility looks to “retain sole, monopolistic control” over how community solar projects are developed within its territory. (Duluth News Tribune)