Why anti-renewable legislative efforts are failing

POLITICS: Why efforts to repeal state renewable energy laws are failing. (Washington Post)

COGENERATION: A biomass fueled combined-heat-and-power facility in Minnesota is starting to turn the corner after years of being challenged by low natural gas prices. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Learn what solar can do for you today! Join Jigar Shah, John Farrell, Frank Andorka and countless others at the Hilton Minneapolis on May 16^th for a packed day of exciting networking, exhibits, training and drinks at the Midwest Solar Expo. Register today and help advance Midwest solar.***

RENEWABLES: GE plans to invest $1 billion a year in wind and solar projects. (Bloomberg)

SOLAR: A glitch in Illinois’ renewable energy standard is holding back solar development; a group in Ann Arbor, Michigan wants to add 100 kW of solar power to the city next year; and a Minnesota co-op announces a new community solar project. (Chicago Tribune, MLive, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

NUCLEAR: Climate advocates being a push to keep old nuclear plants running. (New York Times)

OIL:
• The federal agency that oversees pipeline and oil-by-rail safety is cutting staff. (InsideClimate News)
• A second illegal oil-waste dumping site is discovered in North Dakota. (Bismarck Tribune)
• Cleanup of a September pipeline spill in North Dakota is expected to cost more than $11 million. (Forum News Service)
• The Coast Guard has completed its investigation into a spill from a BP refinery into Lake Michigan. (Times of Northwest Indiana)
• A former Minnesota pollution official says he’s concerned about new pipeline plans for the state. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• An industry gathering in South Dakota criticizes America’s ​“disco-era energy policy.” (Rapid City Journal)
• Oil and gas production continues to grow in Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)

PETCOKE: Southeast Chicago residents march to protest petroleum coke storage in their neighborhoods. (Times of Northwest Indiana)

FRACKING: Some local officials in Illinois are growing impatient over delayed fracking regulations, and the drilling boom boosts electricity demand for an Ohio utility. (Carbondale Southern, Columbus Business First)

POLLUTION: Automakers are already exceeding new federal tailpipe emission rules. (Greenwire)

UTILITIES: Amid an investigation by Ohio regulators, FirstEnergy is waiving a cold-weather surcharge for some customers; meanwhile, profits from this year’s cold winter have raised American Electric Power’s share price to an all-time high. (Columbus Business First, Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today ($15/​individual) for the 15th Anniversary Conference of Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light ​“Climate Stewardship: Sustainability, Eco-Justice and Well-Being” on May 18 in Milwaukee. Keynote, workshops, exhibits and more. Be a sponsor, $100-$1,000.***

HYDRO: A Canadian tribe is losing millions on a Manitoba Hydro project. (Winnipeg Free Press)

COMMENTARY: The Koch attack on solar power, and why trees can’t power Michigan. (New York Times, Detroit Free Press)