OHIO: Both witnesses slated for the final meeting of Ohio’s Energy Mandates Study Committee want the state to scrap its clean energy standards altogether, amid a broader debate of clean energy’s role in economic growth. (Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE: A report by more than 400 scientists concludes 2014 was the hottest year on record, with growing concern about heat buildup in the world’s oceans. (Associated Press)

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WIND:
• A new report says Iowa could get 40 percent of its energy from wind power within five years. (Des Moines Register)
• Speakers at an Illinois conference say the state has the potential to be the number 2 state for wind energy. (WJBC)
• A proposed 200 MW project could break the slump in wind energy development in Minnesota. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Michigan wind farm will be open for public tours this summer. (MLive)

SOLAR: As an Iowa utility explores possible community solar projects, one small town is ready to make the leap. (Midwest Energy News)

PIPELINES: Wisconsin’s budget bill contains a measure to make it easier for pipeline developers to use eminent domain. (Wisconsin Gazette)

OIL AND GAS: Ohio regulators announce new regulations for well pad construction. (Columbus Dispatch)

NUCLEAR:
• Two years after a $748 million upgrade, a Minnesota nuclear plant is running at higher capacity. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• DTE Energy says it remains open to expanding the Fermi nuclear plant in Michigan. (Michigan Radio)

COAL: Landowners continue to fight a permit for a proposed coal slurry pone in Illinois. (Illinois Times)

UTILITIES:
• Customers of a North Dakota-based utility say its proposed increase in net metering fees for distributed generation — to help cover costs including upgrades to a coal plant — is unfair. (Associated Press)
• A survey finds most customers, even some with rooftop solar, are increasingly satisfied with their utilities. (Greentech Media)

POLLUTION: A Muscatine, Iowa company that was a major contributor to the city’s poor air quality has completely transitioned from coal to natural gas. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, Midwest Energy News archive)

ILLINOIS: A grant program in Naperville helps support renewable energy projects. (Chicago Tribune)

COMMENTARY: Why renewable energy is key for Michigan’s future economic growth. (Midwest Energy News)

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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