FRACKING: While the cause of a recent earthquake in Ohio remains unclear, it’s raising questions about the prospect of more oil and gas activity in Wayne National Forest. (Midwest Energy News)

GRID: At a conference in Chicago this week, attendees grappled with the question of who should pay for smart grid upgrades when the value isn’t immediately apparent. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Stay current on the newest developments in the energy economy by attending the Advancing Renewables in the Midwest Conference April 24-25 in Columbia, Missouri. For registration and details: www.AdvancingRenewables.org.***

SOLAR:
• Advocates say they can defeat a bill in Missouri that would allow significant increases in fixed costs for utility customers. (Midwest Energy News)
• An industry publication calls an Indiana solar bill “a fascinating Trojan horse.” (PV Magazine)
• Led largely by corporate buyers, solar had a record year in Wisconsin in 2016. (Wisconsin Gazette)

TECHNOLOGY: Ohio State University approves a $1 billion plan to lease out its energy systems in a partnership that will position the school” as an international leader in energy and sustainability.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

PIPELINES:
• A Minnesota Republican calls opposition to a crude oil pipeline “mindless” as lawmakers seek to bypass state regulators on the project. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• A Michigan Public Service Commissioner has been named to a national subcommittee on pipeline safety. (Daily Energy Insider)

NUCLEAR:
• Industry groups voice opposition to legislation to increase ratepayer subsidies for Ohio nuclear plants. (Toledo Blade)
• Canadian officials are seeking more information on a proposed waste storage facility along Lake Huron. (Detroit Free Press)

POLLUTION: Detroit advocates warn of the health consequences of President Trump’s environmental rollback. (Detroit News)

CLEAN ENERGY: The CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev explains his company’s pursuit of 100% clean energy by 2025: “Everything boils down to energy.” (Forbes)

COMMENTARY:
• A Michigan utility executive says the state will move forward on clean energy regardless of the Trump administration. (MLive)
• Labor and consumer leaders say pipelines are good for Michigan. (Detroit News)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.

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