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FRACKING: The Ohio Supreme Court rejects local ballot initiatives seeking to ban fracking in three counties. (Associated Press)
WISCONSIN: Residents speak out against a proposed rate structure change by Xcel that would increase monthly fixed charges and decrease the average rate for usage. (WEAU-TV)
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WIND:
• A local ruling calling wind turbines a health hazard in a small Wisconsin town could send shockwaves through the industry. (Greenwire)
• Consumers Energy will buy power from a new 100 MW project planned in Michigan’s Thumb region. (MLive)
• NASA may never complete a wind farm in Ohio because of the declining economics for renewables there. (Sandusky Register)
• Researchers in Nebraska are developing turbines that could store excess energy generated and eliminate waste. (Phys.org.)
SOLAR:
• State regulators say it’s “just not prudent” for Xcel ratepayers in North Dakota to help pay for the utility’s solar projects in Minnesota. (Associated Press)
• The federal government announces more than $100 million in grants for solar research and development. (Climate Central)
• A new solar research and manufacturing facility is planned for southeast Michigan. (MLive)
PIPELINE: Iowa regulators will hold hearings in November on allowing eminent domain for the Bakken Pipeline project. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
TRANSMISSION: Federal regulators clear the way for a Wisconsin co-op to begin rebuilding transmission lines through a wildlife refuge. (La Crosse Tribune)
COAL: Legislation passes the Wisconsin Senate that would ease the revenue losses for two Wisconsin cities following the closure of power plants. (Telegraph Herald)
CLIMATE POLICY: New research suggests incentives for developing clean energy may be more important than imposing a carbon tax or trading system. (ClimateWire)
OIL AND GAS: A Wisconsin company continues expanding its network of compressed natural gas stations around the country. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
NUCLEAR: A plant in southwest Michigan shuts down earlier than planned due to equipment failure. (MLive)
COMMENTARY:
• As residents do battle with major utilities, the clean-energy transition plays out differently in three cities. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Michigan lawmaker says a plan to store radioactive waste from nuclear plants less than a half-mile from Lake Huron is a “really bad idea.” (MLive)