SOLAR: A government agency in Minnesota is using marginal land it owns in the Twin Cities region for solar installations. (Midwest Energy News)
OHIO: The state’s top regulator tells power companies to “stop trying to scare Ohioans” when talking about re-regulating the state. (Columbus Business First)
***SPONSORED LINK: Join us at the 14th annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fair, August 22 & 23, 2015, at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, Illinois. Speakers, exhibits, children’s activities, music, food.***
NUCLEAR: PJM’s annual capacity auction will not provide a lifeline for Exelon’s struggling Quad Cities nuclear plant. (EnergyWire)
COAL:
• Under international climate change goals, a new analysis finds that 80 percent of the world’s global coal supply — valued at $62 trillion — would have to stay in the ground. (SNL)
• City officials look for funds to tear down two iconic smokestacks at a former coal plant in Akron. (Akron Beacon Journal)
• A municipally owned power plant in Columbia, Missouri will stop burning coal in October. (KMIZ-TV)
HEAT-TO-ENERGY: A new class of thermoelectrics being developed at Michigan State University is driving one company to commercialize products that turn waste heat into electricity. (NPR)
OIL AND GAS: An Ohio environmental group files suit against Secretary of State John Husted for rejecting a ballot initiative that would have placed limits on local oil and gas development. (Medina Gazette)
NATURAL GAS: Developers receive a notice to proceed for a new $300 million, 475 MW natural gas plant in Ohio, scheduled to be operational in 2018. (news release)
WIND: The battle over wind-farm zoning and land use regulations is spreading across Nebraska counties. (Lincoln Journal Star)
AIR POLLUTION: 92 schools in one southeast Michigan county have sulfur dioxide pollution levels that exceed federal limits. (Arab American News)
CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• In using the Clean Air Act to combat climate change, the Obama administration reversed course from earlier goals of doing so through legislation. (Greenwire)
• A video summary of the entire plan. (Georgetown Climate Center)
***SPONSORED LINK: Green Your Ride! The Illinois Solar Energy Association is raffling a 2015 Tesla Model S! Only 2,000 tickets sold. 1 for $100, 4 for $300 www.illinoissolar.org ***
METHANE: Breaking down the science of methane gas. (Minnesota Public Radio)
COMMENTARY:
• It’s time to start tapping underused waste heat as an energy source. (Phys.org)
• When it comes to new environmental regulations, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is like “Marty McFly — in reverse” because of an unwillingness to look forward. (The Republic)
• Problems at BP’s refinery in Indiana last week should serve as a “wake-up call” for the state and cities to explore alternative fuel options. (South Bend Tribune)