ILLINOIS: Stakeholders are still hopeful that an ambitious clean energy bill can pass during a special session, but solar companies say they can’t hold out much longer without a new influx of state incentives. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• The Prairie State coal plant in Southern Illinois has emerged as a major sticking point in the energy bill negotiations, with dozens of local governments potentially on the hook for payments even if it is forced to close. (Inside Climate News/Chicago Sun-Times)
• Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker also wants to see additional ethics reforms included in the bill. (NPR Illinois)
• With multiple proposals failing to pass this session under a Democratic legislature and governor, Illinois shows that passing state clean energy legislation remains difficult. (Grist)

***SPONSORED LINK: Vote Solar is hiring a Regional Director to lead their legislative campaigns and support their regulatory work in Michigan and Minnesota. Location flexible but preference given to applicants rooted in either state. Applications due June 7.***

CARBON CAPTURE: EPA Administrator Michael Regan says North Dakota is taking a leading role among states pursuing carbon capture at coal and ethanol plants. (Bismarck Tribune)

SOLAR:
• State regulators approve Xcel Energy’s $104.5 million purchase of a 74 MW solar project under development in northwestern Wisconsin. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Local advocates tout the potential economic benefits of a planned 375 MW solar project in northwestern Ohio. (LimaOhio.com)
• Local officials celebrate the opening of a 4.3 MW solar project in northeastern Indiana. (WANE)

PIPELINES:
• Pipeline opponents gear up for a wave of larger demonstrations as a new phase of construction begins on Line 3 in northern Minnesota. (MinnPost)
• Minnesota crisis centers see an uptick in reports of sexual harassment and violence that officials link to an influx in pipeline workers. (The Guardian)

ELECTRIFICATION: The U.S. has the technology to electrify broad swaths of the economy while relying on greater amounts of wind and solar, according to a new federal study. (Inside Climate News)

UTILITIES: Michigan regulators say a new peak pricing program from Consumers Energy will give customers more control over their electric bills. (Bridge Michigan)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ford nearly tripled its electric vehicle sales last month compared to the same period last year in part because of growing sales of its electric Mustang. (E&E News, subscription)

HYDROELECTRIC: An Illinois city wants to decommission its nearly 110-year-old hydroelectric plant because it costs too much to operate. (Quad-City Times)

OIL & GAS: Federal regulators approve plans for a 62-mile natural gas pipeline in western North Dakota that officials say will help reduce the flaring of excess gas. (Associated Press)