OIL & GAS: The former owner of a northern Wisconsin refinery for years was aware of issues with equipment that investigators believe caused a 2018 explosion, according to documents from federal workplace safety regulators. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

ALSO: Minnesota regulators adopt a framework to evaluate pilot programs that aim to reduce gas utilities’ greenhouse gas emissions. (E&E News, subscription)

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NUCLEAR: A former Iowa nuclear plant transfers its spent fuel to a permanent onsite storage facility, marking a major step in the decommissioning process. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

COAL: CenterPoint expects to be the first utility to use Indiana’s new securitization law as it seeks to recover costs for a planned coal plant retirement next year. (Courier & Press)

PIPELINES:
• The state of North Dakota and the federal government are suing a pipeline operator for damages that resulted from a 600,000-gallon spill in 2016 that contaminated the Little Missouri River and a tributary. (Bismarck Tribune)
• A southwestern Iowa county joins neighboring counties in formally opposing the use of eminent domain for a proposed carbon capture pipeline. (KMALand)

TRANSMISSION: Federal regulators reject a proposal that would have allowed incumbent transmission line owners in grid operator MISO’s territory to profit on upgrades to high-voltage lines. (Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY: Wisconsin clean energy advocates want officials to expand the state’s energy efficiency program to be made available to renters and help reduce their energy burden. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

SOLAR: A Michigan utility and health system partner on a new 2.35-acre solar project that will meet nearly 20% of a new rehabilitation facility’s power needs. (MiBiz)

HYDROELECTRIC: Duke Energy completes upgrades at an Indiana hydroelectric facility that are expected to increase power output by about 10%. (WBIW)

CLEAN ENERGY: Michigan will receive more than $27 million in federal infrastructure grants and loans to provide financial assistance for a variety of clean energy projects. (MLive)

BIOFUELS: U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassely of Iowa says eight Midwest states’ move to lift summer restrictions on the sale of higher-ethanol fuel doesn’t go far enough as he seeks a national solution. (E&E News, subscription)

COMMENTARY:
• A wind energy technician and installer originally from Iowa travels to worksites across the country to help facilitate the clean energy transition. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Michigan recently had a notable week for clean energy as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a statewide climate action plan and Consumers Energy reached a proposed settlement to close its coal fleet in 2025. (Union of Concerned Scientists)

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Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.