RENEWABLES: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs a bill into law that allows county officials to determine the fate of renewable energy projects. (Cleveland.com)

COAL:
• An increase in contract coal mining workers in Illinois have made conditions less safe in mines and the work more grueling for miners, according to experts. (Energy News Network)
• Ohio’s ratepayer advocate asks state regulators to revisit a ruling allowing two utilities to pass coal plant-related losses onto customers. (Ohio Capital Journal)

UTILITIES: Michigan clean energy advocates want state regulators to hold public hearings to vet details of Consumers Energy’s long-term plan that calls for ending coal use by 2025. (Michigan Radio)

GRID:
• An Ohio county can’t operate a microgrid unless it has explicit permission to do so from the city where it would operate, according to the state’s attorney general. (Cleveland.com) 
• North Dakota’s top utility regulator says transmission will be crucial to bring additional renewable energy resources onto the grid. (Prairie Public Broadcasting)
• Black Hills Energy completes the rebuild of an eight-mile transmission line in South Dakota that had been in operation in some parts for 55 years. (Rapid City Journal)

SOLAR:
• An Indiana county’s moratorium on solar projects expires after more than two years as developers express interest and local officials consider additional restrictions on development. (Herald Bulletin)
• Area landowners debate the value of a proposed 68 MW solar project in northwestern Ohio. (Crescent-News)

CLIMATE: U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota is helping to lead the effort behind crafting a nationwide clean energy standard calling for 80% grid decarbonization by 2030. (E&E News, subscription)

TRANSPORTATION: Under new legislation expected to be signed into law, Missouri’s gasoline tax will increase for the first time in 25 years to fund additional road and bridge repairs. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

OIL AND GAS: A Missouri natural gas utility says shuttering a gas pipeline that serves the St. Louis area would “adversely” affect the company’s operations and financial position while potentially leading to service disruptions. (S&P Global)

CLEAN ENERGY: A Minnesota organization seeks applicants for seed grant funding to support various clean energy projects. (Winona Daily News)

COMMENTARY: A Minnesota pipeline activist says Enbridge continues to make misleading claims about the environmental and economic benefits of the Line 3 replacement and expansion. (Duluth News Tribune)