NUCLEAR: An Exelon nuclear plant in Illinois did not clear the latest PJM capacity auction, as low prices suggest a challenging market for demand response and coal plants as well. (Quad-City Times, Greentech Media, POWER magazine)
WIND:
• Officials from northwest Ohio ask state lawmakers to repeal restrictions on wind farms, as an industry report suggest the rules will prevent nearly $1.6 billion in economic development. (Columbus Dispatch, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• An Iowa researcher says his design for concrete wind towers passed stress tests and will be viable for turbines up to 460 feet tall; more information on the technology here. (news release, Midwest Energy News archive)
***SPONSORED LINK: Smart Cities Technologies in Wisconsin is taking place on June 6 in Milwaukee. Organized by the Midwest Energy Research Consortium and the City of Milwaukee, this workshop will explore how cities like Milwaukee are adopting Smart Cities Technologies. Register before June 2. ***
EFFICIENCY: How a training program for building operators is helping unlock energy savings in Michigan and elsewhere. (Midwest Energy News)
PIPELINES:
• A bill introduced by Michigan’s U.S. senators would make it easier to shut down pipelines and raise liability caps on owners. (Detroit Free Press)
• Activists in Ohio and Michigan seek to halt work on the Rover pipeline, saying a recent spill of drilling mud may have been twice as large as originally reported. (Livingston Daily, The Guardian)
• Nebraska’s Ponca nation continues to fight the Keystone XL pipeline. (Des Moines Register)
OIL AND GAS: State officials say an earthquake in Ohio related was likely not related to oil and gas activity. (Columbus Dispatch)
TRANSMISSION: A judge reverses a decision that stopped construction on a Wisconsin transmission line. (La Crosse Tribune)
SOLAR: Officials in Ann Arbor, Michigan are considering installing solar on municipal buildings as well as developing community solar options for residents. (MLive)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The climate benefits of electric vehicles are improving as the grid becomes cleaner. (Climate Central)
• Customers of an Ohio utility can qualify for a $10,000 discount on a Nissan Leaf. (Columbus Business First)
UTILITIES: Missouri lawmakers advance a bill that would let manufacturers negotiate for lower electricity rates. (Associated Press)
CLIMATE: Minnesota officials seek to “electrify everything” as the state falls behind on its emission reduction goals. (Minnesota Public Radio)
COMMENTARY:
• Ten reasons why Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s “baseload” study is “a transparent attempt to prop up coal and nuclear power.” (Grist) (Vox)
• Advocates argue for retail electricity choice in Kansas. (Topeka Capital-Journal)