Despite stay, Minnesota to move forward on Clean Power Plan

CLEAN POWER PLAN: President Obama says ​“we are very firm in terms of the legal footing here” on the Clean Power Plan. (The Hill)

ALSO:
• Legal experts emphasize the Supreme Court’s decision ​“is only a pause.” (SNL Energy)
• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton says the Supreme Court’s stay ​“does nothing to diminish our resolve” on clean energy. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• An Indiana utility will ​“continue moving forward” with planned carbon reductions despite the stay. (Indiana Public Media)
• Iowa’s rural co-ops ​“are supportive of putting everything on hold.” (Radio Iowa)

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EFFICIENCY: A project in Michigan could help overcome some of the financial barriers to energy upgrades in rental housing. (Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE: Minnesota activists target U.S. Bank for supporting the fossil fuel industry. (Midwest Energy News)

PIPELINES: Iowa regulators still have not reached a decision on a proposed Bakken oil pipeline through the state. (Des Moines Register)

UTILITIES:
• Minnesota regulators reject a utility’s proposal to cut rates for large industrial customers. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Exelon has already spent $259 million pursuing its proposed merger with Pepco. (Washington Business Journal)
• An Ohio utility unveils its new TV ad promoting its income guarantee plan for power plants. (Columbus Business First)

COAL: Peabody Energy still sees bright spots amid a ​“brutal industry backdrop.” (SNL Energy)

SOLAR: An Iowa utility had to increase the size of its solar garden due to customer demand. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)

FRACKING:
• Ohio lawmakers say now is not the time to increase severance taxes on drilling. (WKSU)
• Bills in the Michigan legislature would temporarily halt fracking and require chemical disclosure. (MLive)
• Detroit residents are concerned the city will become a dumping ground for hazardous drilling waste. (MLive)

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AGRICULTURE: A seminar in southern Illinois highlights the benefits of renewable energy and efficiency for farms. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

COMMENTARY: The Supreme Court’s Clean Power Plan decision ​“has temporarily put polluter profits first, while putting the rest of us at risk.” (NRDC Switchboard)