OHIO: An Ohio utility will have its chance next month to convince state regulators that its income-guarantee plans for struggling plants will be good for customers. (Columbus Business First)

KEYSTONE XL: TransCanada is quietly planning a response to what company officials expect will be a rejection of the project from the White House. (CBC News)

***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.***

MINING: Operations are suspended once again at an Illinois coal mine due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide detected. (SNL Energy)

NUCLEAR:
• A U.S. senator from Michigan wants the International Joint Commission to study a proposed nuclear waste plan in Canada. (Associated Press)
The Sierra Club files a brief with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission over safety protocol at a southwest Michigan nuclear plant. (MLive)

FRAC SAND: Wisconsin residents are expressing growing concern over stalled railroad cars transporting an increasing amount of frac sand. (WISN-TV)

WIND: A Department of Energy analysis shows wind prices hit a record low last year. (The Hill)

MICHIGAN: Consumers Energy displays major projects on the west side of the state, including the world’s largest air-cooled motors at its pumped storage facility. (MLive)

SOLAR: SunEdison’s financing mechanism used to boost profits is falling out of favor with investors. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

EPA: The agency is working on revisions to its mercury and air toxics pollution rule that the Supreme Court said recently didn’t fully account for costs. (The Hill)

OIL AND GAS: Companies in the Utica shale are closing in on joint venture agreements, hoping to survive the time of low oil and gas prices. (Columbus Business First)

EFFICIENCY:
• A new effort is underway to enroll commercial buildings in Minnesota into a federal building efficiency program. (Finance & Commerce)
A Kansas City startup closes on the property that will become the city’s first net-zero home. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Next month, global retailer Ikea will start selling only LED light bulbs at its stores as part of its sustainability efforts. (New York Times)

OIL TRAINS: North Dakota taps a BNSF manager who oversaw fiery oil train derailments in the past two years to work on a state-run safety program. (Bismarck Tribune)

COAL:
• West Virginia officials start applying for federal economic development grants to diversify the coal-dependent economy. (Register-Herald)
Advocates and regulators are concerned that worker pensions and reclamation plans will be abandoned as coal producers struggle financially. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)

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SUSTAINABILITY: New research finds a correlation between sustainability efforts in smaller cities and the presence of a municipal utility. (Phys.org)

COMMENTARY:
• President Obama keeps his promise to “bankrupt the coal industry.” (Telegraph Herald)
Ohio leaders need to recognize the state’s ability to meet Clean Power Plan goals. (Cincinnati Enquirer)
The Renewable Fuel Standard is good for U.S. farmers. (MinnPost)
Claims that the Clean Power Plan will increase rates and cost Michigan jobs are misleading and suspect. (MLive)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

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