COAL: As in Ohio and other parts of the U.S., advocates say Poland’s political and cultural connection to its coal industry won’t be enough to save it from economic and environmental pressures. (Midwest Energy News)
PIPELINES:
• A Wisconsin judge rules in favor of Enbridge after local officials attempted to require spill insurance as part of a pipeline expansion there, though it appears the case is not over. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• Michigan will hire two independent companies to study the financial risk of a pipeline spill in the Straits of Mackinac as well as alternatives to the current pipeline there. (Associated Press)
*** SPONSORED LINK: Illinois Renewable Energy Conference, July 21st in Normal, Illinois, will feature plenary sessions of interest to all areas of renewable energy, plus specific breakout sessions for wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and energy efficiency.***
BIOENERGY:
• A Missouri-based company looks to turn Nebraska’s agriculture waste into a product known as “BioCoal,” which looks and burns like coal but has fewer carbon emissions. (Lincoln Journal Star)
• Clean-energy groups are growing increasingly skeptical of biomass as a sustainable energy source. (National Public Radio)
RENEWABLES: Some Wisconsin landowners say their investments in producing renewable energy are not paying off due to contracts with utilities. (WLUK-TV)
SOLAR:
• A Grand Rapids, Michigan brewery expects to generate 20 percent of its power needed for brewing operations from a rooftop solar installation. (MLive)
• Indiana regulators give final approval for a 17-megawatt solar project planned by Duke Energy at an Indiana naval base. (Charlotte Business Journal)
• Dow Chemical is shutting down its solar shingle business. (Chemical & Engineering News)
OIL AND GAS:
• A Michigan judge blocks a metro Detroit city’s attempt to stop a church from drilling for oil on church property. (Detroit Free Press)
• The latest list of the top oil and gas drillers in Ohio provides a mirror into the industry’s boom and decline. (Columbus Business First)
WIND: A federal workplace safety agency is investigating two recent injuries at a Kansas wind farm. (Associated Press)
AGRICULTURE: The U.S. Department of Agriculture awards grants to 33 Iowa farms and businesses to install energy-efficient lighting and solar panels. (Associated Press)
STORAGE: An Indiana utility will unveil a new battery storage facility in Indianapolis. (Inside Indiana Business)
***SPONSORED LINK: Now Open: Midwest Energy News 40 Under 40 award program seeks young leaders working to transition Midwest to clean energy. Make your nomination today! ***
POLITICS: The platform of the Republican Party heading into the convention says coal is “an abundant, clean, affordable, reliable domestic energy resource.” (Grist)
COMMENTARY: Detroit health officials continue to oppose a company’s plan to store coal byproducts uncovered along the city’s riverfront. (Detroit Free Press)