UTILITIES: Wisconsin regulators approve plans to nearly double a utility’s fixed rate request increase. (Midwest Energy News)
TRANSMISSION: Developers of a wind energy transmission line want Iowa regulators to split proceedings on the need for the project and land acquisition issues. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
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WIND: Why Minnesota’s largest utility wants to own more of its own wind farms. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
SOLAR:
• Activists question a northern Minnesota utility’s community solar program. (Midwest Energy News)
• A solar industry group is under fire from some advocates. (Utility Dive)
MICHIGAN: A new report stresses the economic impacts Michigan’s renewable and efficiency standards have had on the state’s economy. (Midwest Energy News)
OHIO:
• Opponents say the proposed agreement between FirstEnergy and Ohio will hurt competition. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• A second power company joins in opposition, seeking to stop an anti-competitive settlement.” (Columbus Business Journal)
CLIMATE:
• Documents show an eager Bush and Reagan administration ready to lead the world on climate change. (Washington Post)
• Former defense secretary and Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel warns Republicans not to undermine Paris climate negotiations. (Politico)
• The Paris climate talks hit home in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• As Missouri fights the Clean Power Plan, the state’s regulators zero on in a compliance approach. (EnergyWire)
COAL: Utilities are burning less coal than had been previously forecast. (Platts)
OIL AND GAS:
• Oil and gas production continue to rise in Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)
• New rules allowing radioactive landfills closer to oil wells in North Dakota face a final step next week. (Grand Forks Herald)
• A researcher who has been studying drilling impacts in the Marcellus shale sets his sights on North Dakota. (EnergyWire)
NUCLEAR: Federal regulators hear comments on whether the Fermi 2 plant should be allowed to continue operating. (Toledo Blade)
EFFICIENCY: The bankruptcy of a recycling company leaves a Michigan utility’s appliance rebate program “in a lurch.” (MLive)
NEWSMAKER: Amy Francetic, the CEO of the Chicago-based Clean Energy Trust, is stepping down. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
COMMENTARY: Why Illinois’ solar future just got a little brighter. (Environmental Defense Fund)