How a Koch-linked group stopped bipartisan efficiency policy in Ohio

EFFICIENCY: Emails show how a major conservative advocacy group used misinformation to stop a bipartisan Ohio bill to create voluntary energy efficiency programs, drawing the ire of some Republicans. (Energy News Network)

NUCLEAR: A draft report commissioned by Michigan regulators says new and existing nuclear generation will be necessary for the state to meet recently adopted clean energy targets. (MLive)

PIPELINES:

• A South Dakota Democratic lawmaker says multiple compromise carbon pipeline bills are coming this session meant to both address landowner concerns and not dissuade developers from building in the state. (Argus Leader)
• The unpopularity of carbon pipeline projects from some landowners stem from a lingering resentment of property damage caused by the Dakota Access and other pipelines. (E&E News)

GRID:

• A new Union of Concerned Scientists report warns about the vulnerability of gas plants during extreme temperatures and cautions against the ​“vicious cycle” of investing in new gas-fired resources. (Utility Dive)
• The Kansas City metro area is experiencing thousands of outages as a winter storm bringing snow and strong winds damages the local grid. (Kansas City Star)
• Grid operator PJM triples its annual load growth forecast from last year, a spike based on vehicle and industrial electrification and consumer demands for technology. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Two St. Louis-area school districts will use nearly $16 million in federal funding to buy a combined 40 electric school buses. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

UTILITIES:

• Michigan’s attorney general will intervene in a regulatory case involving DTE Energy’s request for a $266 million increase to pay for gas infrastructure and maintenance costs. (Detroit Free Press)
• Meanwhile, the Detroit-based utility is offering buyouts to about 3,000 employees, or 30% of its workforce, mostly in corporate and staff roles to ​“further focus” on energy generation and distribution. (Detroit News)
• Customers of a South Dakota utility will pay more than $13 a month more to offset costs of a new natural gas plant as well as $267 million in infrastructure investments. (Mitchell Republic)

ADVOCACY: The self-described centrist CEO of the American Clean Power Association draws criticism from environmental groups for openly courting Republicans and fossil fuel companies to advance clean energy development. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY: An Ameren executive says a growing number of Missouri businesses are electrifying their vehicle fleets to save money on fuel and maintenance and also improve local air quality. (St. Louis Business Journal)