SOLAR: An Iowa rural co-op is imposing one of the highest fixed charges in the nation; one farmer says it will force him to take down his solar panels. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• Solar advocates will be allowed to intervene in a Kansas rate case that seeks to raise fixed charges, in part, to help pay for coal plant upgrades. (Topeka Capital Journal)
• A proposed solar project would help power schools in Athens, Ohio. (Athens News)
• Neighbors, concerned about aesthetic impacts, push back against a proposed Minnesota community solar project. (Chisago County Press)
• A Michigan utility is planning a solar array at a cemetery in Ypsilanti. (MLive)

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INNOVATION: The Midwest is “chomping at the bit” for a clean energy revolution, according to participants at a recent Chicago summit. (Midwest Energy News)

NEWSMAKER: Former Exelon CEO John Rowe says “only Stalin” could get the U.S. to a zero-carbon economy, but he still has high hopes for clean energy. (Midwest Energy News)

UTILITIES: American Electric Power announces a quarterly profit of $430 million, then criticizes Ohio regulators for not approving income guarantees for some of its power plants. (Cleveland Columbus Dispatch)

COAL: A company that provides steam heat for downtown Cleveland buildings will switch from coal to gas. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: A report finds the Clean Power Plan will result in lower overall energy bills. (The Hill)

PIPELINES:
• “Enbridge can go to hell” and other reflections from residents impacted by the 2010 Kalamazoo River oil spill. (InsideClimate News)
• A multi-state group of opponents is working together to oppose a proposed Bakken oil pipeline. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

MICHIGAN: State regulators say it’s unlikely there will be a power shortfall next year. (Associated Press)

WIND: An Illinois wind farm wins approval from county officials after being rejected earlier this year. (Bloomington Pantagraph)

FRACKING:
• Activists pursue a community bill of rights in Carbondale, Illinois, to assert more local control over drilling-related activities. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)
• An analyst expects demand for Wisconsin frac sand to rebound. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

NUCLEAR:
• Wisconsin regulators approve grid upgrades for the state’s remaining nuclear plant. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• A Missouri nuclear plant is shut down for the second time in eight months. (Associated Press)

BIOMASS: A Wisconsin community reels from news a second power plant is shutting down. (Dubuque Telegraph Herald)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Illinois legislation pending the governor’s signature would impose a fine for parking a non-electric vehicle in an EV charging spot. (WLS)
• The mayor of Indianapolis is in a dispute with city council members over what type of contract the city’s electric car sharing service should operate under. (WFYI)

COMMENTARY: How Michigan can save money while cutting carbon. (MLive)

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Ken Paulman

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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