Final Dakota Access pipeline construction to begin immediately

OIL AND GAS:
• Advocates pushing for the permanent closure of Enbridge’s Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac say the pipeline is not needed to process propane for residents in the Upper Peninsula. (Midwest Energy News)
• An attorney calls Spectra Energy’s apparent oversight of an Ohio fault line ​“an astonishing screw-up” that could complicate the company’s efforts to build the NEXUS pipeline there. (Toledo Blade)

SOLAR:
• Despite adding more than 1,000 solar industry jobs in 2016, some company leaders say Ohio’s two-year clean energy ​“freeze” prevented even more growth. (Midwest Energy News)
• A major community solar project comes online in northern Michigan. (WWTV)

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UTILITIES:
• The CEO of Exelon says 2016 was a ​“monumental year” for the company as it increased revenue, secured subsidies for struggling nuclear plants and acquired more electric distribution companies. (RTO Insider)
• Ohio regulators say power companies no longer have to notify ratepayers in-person that their power will be shut off. (Columbus Business First)

PIPELINES: The Dakota Access pipeline developer plans to begin work immediately to finish the project. (Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Volkswagen is required to spend $2 billion over the next decade to promote and invest in infrastructure for zero-emissions vehicles in the United States. (Bloomberg)

MICHIGAN: The chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission says legislation passed at the end of 2016 is ​“a good final product that’s going to position us to be successful in the future.” (Greening of the Great Lakes)

NUCLEAR: Entergy is said to be exploring options to sell its Michigan-based Palisades plant to a new joint venture created to purchase and decommission nuclear plants. (SNL / Utility Dive)

EFFICIENCY: Donald Trump’s trademark Chicago skyscraper ranks last in the city’s energy benchmarking database. (WTTW)

RENEWABLES: Former President Jimmy Carter says President Trump’s embracing renewable energy could help create millions of jobs. (Associated Press)

CLEAN TECH: An Ohio inventor says he has developed a device that can harness electricity from the flow of fluids and gases through pipelines. (Youngstown Vindicator)

CLIMATE:
• Should a nationwide carbon tax be coupled with a regulatory giveaway? (InsideClimate News)
• Unlocking the potential for fossil fuel projects like Dakota Access and Keystone XL makes it more difficult to achieve emission reduction goals. (Climate Central)

COMMENTARY:
• The leaders of two Midwest philanthropies are ​“optimistic about advancing sensible energy solutions at the local level” despite changes in Washington D.C. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
• An Upper Peninsula newspaper says a local utility’s plan to boost its solar portfolio is ​“a very definite step in the right direction.” (Iron Mountain Daily News)