Biden could move quickly against Dakota Access pipeline after ruling

PIPELINES: A federal appeals court upholds an order calling for a full environmental review of the Dakota Access pipeline but declines to shut the project down while the review is completed. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• President Biden could move quickly to halt Dakota Access pipeline operations after the court refused to revive a key pipeline easement. (Bloomberg Law)
• The development of major interstate natural gas pipelines may start to wind down as the market turns toward clean energy and the Biden administration pursues climate policies, analysts say. (S&P Global)

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SOLAR:
• A Minnesota oil refinery is reviewing bids from developers to build a 30 MW onsite solar project to help reduce its electricity costs. (Star Tribune)
• The city of Muncie, Indiana, reaches an agreement to develop a solar project at the site of a former General Motors plant. (Muncie Star Press)
• An anti-solar group holds a second public meeting over its opposition to a planned 300 MW solar project in northwestern Ohio. (LimaOhio.com)

UTILITIES:
• Some major utilities, including Xcel Energy and FirstEnergy, push back on a recent Sierra Club report criticizing power companies’ emission targets while maintaining coal and building new natural gas plants. (Utility Dive)
• Cleveland officials review fliers distributed in 2018 by an advocacy group that sought to erode trust in Cleveland Public Power. (Cleveland.com)

POLICY: A U.S. Senate panel meets today to consider President Biden’s nomination of former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm as energy secretary. (Detroit News)

BIOFUELS:
• The head of an Iowa biofuels group says industry supporters ​“must be ready to fight (electric vehicle) mandates in 2021.” (Radio Iowa)
• Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says all new gasoline and diesel fuel pumps in the state should offer ethanol and biofuel blends. (Radio Iowa)

CLIMATE: Michigan conservation groups welcome climate action efforts by the Biden administration, including targeting investments in clean energy and job training. (WXPR)

RENEWABLES: Some nearby residents raise concerns as local officials consider a planned wind and solar project in northern Iowa. (KIMT)

EFFICIENCY: A Chicago startup is developing more energy efficient LED lighting to improve electronic device screens that also benefits users’ eyesight. (Centered)

COMMENTARY:
• If confirmed as U.S. energy secretary, Jennifer Granholm faces a ​“daunting, pivotal task” of achieving bold climate action while addressing a significant backlog of work, clean energy advocates say. (Natural Resources Defense Council)
• The mayor of Dayton, Ohio, says leading Republican lawmakers have been ​“bought off by the rich energy companies who fund their campaigns” and are looking out for themselves ​“at the expense of everyday Ohioans.” (Cleveland.com)