OHIO: An Ohio utility revises its proposal for income guarantees for its coal plants after an earlier version was rejected by state regulators. (Columbus Dispatch)

ALSO: The controversy over the utility plans, which opponents characterize as “bailouts,” is just the latest to involve Ohio’s Davis-Besse nuclear plant. (Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Learn about the latest in renewable energy and sustainability in Central Wisconsin at The Energy Fair, June 19-21. Features include keynote speaker John Wellinghoff, workshops, exhibitors, entertainment, and more.***

COAL:
• Illinois lawmakers declare war on “garbage coal” from Wyoming, saying the state’s power plants should be fueled locally. (EnergyWire)
• FirstEnergy shareholders plan to protest the utility’s reliance on coal today. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• InsideClimate News launches a series on the decline of the coal industry.

UTILITIES:
• A Wisconsin utility is pursuing another increase in fixed charges. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• How a Minnesota co-op has managed to keep energy prices low. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR:
• Another Minnesota co-op offers community solar to its members. (St. Cloud Times)
• The developer of Nebraska’s first large-scale solar farm is changing tactics in hope of receiving faster approval. (Lincoln Journal Star)

GRID: An Indiana utility plans a $25 million energy storage facility. (Indianapolis Business Journal)

OIL AND GAS:
• Federal regulators issue a warning about toxic airborne chemicals at drilling sites following the deaths of nine workers in North Dakota and elsewhere. (Associated Press)
• A new documentary explore the deaths of more than 50 North Dakota oil field workers since 2008. (Minnesota Public Radio)

PIPELINES: A former Iowa legislator is arrested in a protest at the governor’s office against a proposed oil pipeline. (Radio Iowa)

FRAC SAND: A frac sand facility in Wisconsin will lay off 30 workers as it slows down production this summer. (La Crosse Tribune)

MICHIGAN: The state’s new energy agency began operations Monday. (MLive)

CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• FERC wants climate rules to include a “safety valve” to ensure grid reliability. (The Hill)
• A new study finds energy efficiency will be the lowest-cost way to meet Clean Power Plan targets. (Washington Post)

COMMENTARY: Why wood pellets aren’t a climate solution, at least not in the short-term. (Forbes)

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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