SOLAR:
• Iowa’s two major utilities are seeking a new rate structure for distributed generation that clean energy advocates say would undermine solar producers. (Midwest Energy News)
• Utilities, regulators and lawmakers debated a variety of solar policy changes in all but four states last year. (Utility Dive)
• A Minnesota county reaches a solar power purchase agreement with Xcel Energy that will save more than $1 million over the life of the contract. (Mankato Free Press)

TRANSMISSION: Responding to the Rock Island Clean Line project, Iowa lawmakers advance a bill that would revoke applications for transmission projects after two years of inaction. (The Gazette)

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CLEAN ENERGY: A new report ranks Midwest states on their clean energy economies. Some of the findings include:
• Illinois leads the region in clean energy jobs and has strong projected growth. (Chicago Tribune)
• Wind and solar industry officials say Iowa is a “pretty big force” in developing a clean energy economy. (The Gazette)
• Kansas and Indiana both predict growth in clean energy jobs, but lag behind others in the region. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
• Wisconsin ranks ninth of 12 in the region with nearly 25,000 jobs. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Ohio leads the region in clean energy manufacturing jobs. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• In Missouri, clean energy jobs — more than two-thirds of which are in energy efficiency — are expected to grow by 8 percent this year. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

FRACKING: Environmental groups and the federal government make legal arguments against a federal court’s injunction last year on fracking rules for public and tribal lands. (EnergyWire)

STORAGE: In general, utilities are still figuring out whether energy storage is a threat or a business opportunity. (Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY: A Michigan competition looks for property owners that reduce energy use from industrial and commercial buildings. (MLive)

COAL: An Illinois city hears competing proposals from utilities over moving forward with a new coal contract. (State Journal-Register)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Automakers look to appeal to a broader audience by marketing electric vehicles faster and quieter than traditional gasoline cars. (Associated Press)

OIL AND GAS: Companies that operate pipelines, storage and gas plants are at a disadvantage with low feedstock prices compared to end users of energy commodities. (SNL)

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MERGER: Washington D.C. regulators are scheduled to revisit the proposed Exelon-Pepco merger today, but it’s unclear what the outcome may be. (Baltimore Business Journal)

COMMENTARY:
• A third Ohio utility is following “in the shameless footsteps” of FirstEnergy and AEP in seeking income guarantees for its coal-fired plants. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
• Minnesota legislators need to prioritize funding for climate change research. (Minnesota Daily)