UTILITIES: Ohio consumer advocates say utilities should still be required to make in-person visits before disconnecting power to smart meter customers as the latest utility seeks an exemption from regulators. (Energy News Network)

GRID: The developer of an underground transmission line between Iowa and Illinois says the biggest obstacles to the project are “outdated regulations and market rules imposed on us by unaccountable grid operators” like PJM. (Utility Dive) 

CLIMATE: St. Paul, Minnesota, plans to declare a climate emergency next week as it maintains its pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions from city operations by 2030. (Star Tribune)

COAL:
• State regulators order Minnesota Power to refund $4.5 million to customers because it failed to follow “good utility practices” related to a dangerous steam pipe rupture at a Minnesota coal plant. (Star Tribune)
• A Missouri agency issues a new operating permit for the state’s largest coal plant to allow the release of pollutants from a coal ash storage basin into nearby groundwater for the next five years. (St. Louis Public Media)
• The recently signed federal infrastructure law will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to reclaim land in Illinois with former coal mines. (Illinois Public Media)

PIPELINES: A Wisconsin agency will hold hearings next month on Enbridge’s plan to reroute Line 5 around tribal land, while Michigan regulators begin taking testimony today on a planned Line 5 tunnel between the Upper and Lower peninsulas. (Wisconsin State Journal, Detroit News)

STORAGE: Indiana lawmakers advance a bill that would promote underground pumped storage hydropower facilities that could work in tandem with renewables or fossil fuels. (Indiana Public Media)

CLEAN ENERGY: A pioneer in Michigan’s wind energy industry discusses the corporate shift to renewable energy and the challenges of bringing new projects onto the grid. (Traverse City Ticker)

BIOFUELS: A Michigan lawmaker proposes creating a tax credit for retailers who sell alternative fuels in an effort to help expand locally produced biofuels. (MLive)

SOLAR:
• Nearby farmers raise concerns over plans for a 145 MW solar project in northeastern Ohio. (Morning Journal)
• A developer finalizes construction on a 200 MW solar project in eastern Indiana. (Renewables Now)

EFFICIENCY:
• Kansas City will replace 84,000 streetlights with LED bulbs and fixtures, which is expected to help save the city $27 million over 10 years. (KCUR)
• Missouri regulators approve Ameren’s request to reduce energy efficiency surcharges on customer bills from about $5.35 a month to $3.76. (News Tribune)

COMMENTARY: A South Dakota state representative says carbon capture pipeline projects that carry emissions from ethanol plants provide fuel makers certainty and access to markets amid low-carbon standards. (Aberdeen News)