WIND: A Wisconsin electric cooperative seeks proposals to develop 100 megawatts of wind or an equivalent renewable for its local utilities in Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
PIPELINES:
• Iowa regulators vote 2-1 to allow construction to begin on the Dakota Access pipeline where it has the necessary permits. (Associated Press)
• Opponents promise a “summer of resistance” and “civil disobedience” if necessary to block construction of the project. (Radio Iowa)
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COAL ASH: Advocates are pushing for stronger safeguards in proposed coal ash storage rules in Illinois that allow for more public input, require analyses for permanent storage plans and ensure companies are financially liable for potential incidents. (Midwest Energy News)
GRID:
• ComEd will deploy its first smart grid technology across a broad cross-section of ratepayers in a historic South Side Chicago neighborhood. (ClimateWire)
• The utility’s CEO discusses modeling a continued decrease in demand and its new “business architecture” to accommodate distributed generation. (EnergyWire)
• FirstEnergy’s nuclear, coal and natural gas plants are prepared to operate reliably through the hot summer months, officials say. (Alliance Review)
• Grid operator MISO plans to issue changes to its capacity auction process in the coming weeks. (RTO Insider)
OIL BY RAIL:
• Minnesota’s new rail director looks to improve the safety of moving oil by rail, train first responders and coordinate different levels of oversight agencies. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration gives updated oil-by-rail shipment data going back to 2010 showing most shipments originate in the Midwest. (Energy Collective)
STORAGE: Federal regulators accept an interconnection agreement between MISO and Indianapolis Power & Light for the first utility-scale battery storage project in the grid operator’s footprint. (RTO Insider)
UTILITIES: A Nebraska energy company is at odds with municipal utilities in the state over disclosing detailed costs for generating electricity. (Omaha World-Herald)
NUCLEAR:
• Exelon officials at two Illinois nuclear plants scheduled to close begin asking plant employees about their plans for the future. (Quad-City Times)
• The fate of nuclear plants in the Southeast is not as dire as it is for those in the Midwest. (EnergyWire)
• Nuclear power generators say the fuel source should be recognized for its environmental benefits while others argue that the market is working. (Utility Dive)
OIL AND GAS:
• Officials detail how a new $890 million natural gas plant in Ohio will work. (Youngstown Vindicator)
• An Ohio lawmaker wants more oil and gas severance tax revenues directed to communities most affected by drilling. (Natural Gas Intelligence)
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BIOFUELS: The owner of a steam and chilled water distribution system in Youngstown, Ohio switches to wood-derived biomass as its primary fuel. (Youngstown Vindicator)
POLITICS: How a North Dakota oil billionaire is influencing presidential candidate Donald Trump’s views on energy. (Washington Post)