ILLINOIS: As Illinois officials seek to cut sulfur dioxide levels in two cities, a utility is using the process to seek an exemption for installing pollution controls at one of its coal plants. (Midwest Energy News)
WIND: Wind is rapidly eroding coal’s share of Iowa’s energy mix. (SNL)
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NUCLEAR: A rural Wisconsin town laments the closing and decommissioning of a nuclear plant built in the 1970s. (New York Times)
EMISSIONS: A new study shows that emission reductions in the western U.S. are being offset by those coming from China and the upper atmosphere, suggesting the need for global pollution-reduction goals. (Greenwire)
FRAC SAND: West Michigan residents are upset over a resurgence in sand mining along Lake Michigan, and experts suggest it may be to support fracking. (Michigan Radio)
COAL:
• Consumers Energy releases a decommissioning plan for a major coal plant set to retire next year at a prominent West Michigan location. (MLive)
• Coal companies seeking Chapter 11 “restructuring” are facing a lot of scrutiny from investors and judges for how their businesses can survive in the future. (EnergyWire)
SOLAR:
• A solar installer says an Iowa power company’s softened stance on net-metering could revive more projects. Background on the story here. (Telegraph Herald, Midwest Energy News)
• Market analysts say 2015 will be the “tipping point” for community solar, as steady growth is projected and utilities catch on to the business model. (UtilityDive)
KANSAS: Hearings will begin later this month on a Kansas utility’s plan to raise rates on customers as part of a deal that included backing off on higher fixed charges for solar. (Associated Press)
BIOENERGY: The EPA estimates biodigesters last year eliminated 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. (AFP)
WISCONSIN:
• Lower natural-gas and coal costs are likely to offset rate increases for We Energies ratepayers. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• We Energies has proposed selling a small coal-fired power plant to a local medical center to avoid costs of installing pollution controls. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• A state court rules that a judicial review is not necessary for an air pollution permit given to Enbridge. (Associated Press)
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BIOFUELS: $63 million in newly announced federal loans and grants will benefit rural biofuel producers. (Biodiesel Magazine)
COMMENTARY:
• Calls from state regulators and advocates to better limit residents’ exposure to coal dust near a Wisconsin plant is “entirely reasonable.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Federal tax credits for renewable energy should be extended. (Quad-City Times)
• A new documentary about Enbridge’s Line 5 below the Straits of Mackinac should be “the summer’s top horror flick.” (Grist)