SOLAR: Missouri-based SunEdison, “a one-time star in the alternative energy field,” files for bankruptcy after what analysts say was a string of overly optimistic investments. (Associated Press)
ALSO:
• Why SunEdison’s failure is about poor business decisions, not the viability of clean energy. (Fortune)
• St. Cloud, Minnesota officials are “cautiously optimistic” that a planned solar garden to be built by SunEdison will still move forward. (St. Cloud Times)
• The USDA’s rural energy program holds an Earth Day event recognizing a Nebraska community solar project. (Grand Island Independent)
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WIND: While liberal, coastal states are often looked at as clean-energy leaders, “decidedly red” Iowa has emerged as the nation’s leader in wind development. (Congressional Quarterly)
HYDRO: Developers plan to tap into the potential for more hydroelectric power in southeast Ohio with a series of six dam projects totaling 23 megawatts. (Midwest Energy News)
NUCLEAR:
• The organizers of a project to test whether a South Dakota site may be suitable to store nuclear waste are trying to convince residents that the testing will not involve radioactive waste. (Associated Press)
• Following last week’s MISO capacity auction, an Illinois nuclear plant is cleared to run through May 2017, but its future after that is still uncertain. (Platts)
WASTE-TO-ENERGY: A West Michigan dairy farmer says his 2,000-cow operation also generates enough electricity through three anaerobic digesters to power more than 700 homes. (MLive)
FRAC SAND: Wisconsin environmental advocates say the downturn in the state’s frac sand industry has left sites unattended, but they also predict mining will rebound. (WisBusiness.com)
CLIMATE:
• A group of religious leaders gather at the Iowa statehouse to call for action on climate change. (Radio Iowa)
• World leaders are gathered in New York today to sign the Paris climate agreement. (Huffington Post)
• The inaugural meeting of the bipartisan congressional Climate Solutions Caucus was a “good first date,” though no firm policy commitments were made. (E&E Daily)
GRID: After a spike in capacity prices last year, southern Illinois ratepayers can expect a decrease on their bills following a recent MISO auction. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
EFFICIENCY: A Michigan energy efficiency advocacy group announces the “biggest losers” in an annual contest of buildings that shed the most amount of energy consumption. (MLive)
ECONOMY:
• A new survey of Midwest and Plains states suggests the region’s economy remains stifled by low energy commodity prices. (Associated Press)
• Advocates rally in Illinois for a statewide clean jobs bill. (Alton Telegraph)
METHANE: The U.S. avoided the “standard mistake” in its methane-reduction pact with Canada by reversing course and applying the new standards to existing oil and gas operations, not just new ones. (Forbes)
UTILITIES:
• The Ohio Supreme Court rejects nearly all challenges to a controversial 2012 rate increase by AEP. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Michigan-based Consumers Energy will raise natural gas rates by $40 million, though customers will actually see bill credits after being overcharged. (MLive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Automaker Volvo announces plans to sell one million electric cars by 2025. (CNET)
COMMENTARY:
• Regardless of whether the Supreme Court strikes down aspects of the Clean Power Plan, the U.S. will still likely hit emissions targets under the Paris climate agreement. (Bloomberg View)
• If federal regulators side with two Ohio utilities on their income-guarantee requests, it could “set off a domino effect of fossil fuel plant bailouts” across the country. (Environmental Defense Fund)