Iowa lawmakers advance bill that could block wind transmission project

OHIO: Opponents of the income-guarantee deals for FirstEnergy and AEP say they have multiple ways of challenging state regulators’ approval, including a rehearing and court appeals. (Midwest Energy News)

TRANSMISSION: Iowa lawmakers advance a bill that critics say would ​“change the rules” and halt development of the Rock Island Clean Line wind transmission project. (Radio Iowa)

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NUCLEAR: Some see the support for nuclear energy in Illinois by climate scientist James Hansen and other conservationists as a push for proposed legislation that would prop up Exelon’s struggling Illinois plants. (Midwest Energy News)

CLEAN JOBS: A new study says Rust Belt states including Ohio and Michigan could see 50,000 high-wage jobs being created annually through state-specific clean energy policy. (ClimateWire)

PIPELINES:
• The Keystone pipeline in South Dakota will likely remain shut down for the rest of the week while officials investigate what caused an apparent leak. (Associated Press)
• Company officials say the incident is ​“small in scope.” (Associated Press)
• Advocates say the uncertainty surrounding the incident raises concerns about the company’s leak detection measures. (InsideClimate News)

NATURAL GAS: Ohio advocates plan to dive deeper into public sentiment about the benefits and risks of the state’s fracking industry as drilling declines. (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR:
• Researchers say the next wave of solar development won’t be driven as much by state renewable portfolio standards. (Utility Dive)
• A central Minnesota county plans to revisit local regulations for siting solar projects as opposition mounts. (St. Cloud Times)
• A small Indiana utility launches a program to lease solar panels to its customers. (Greenfield Daily Reporter)

COAL: Nearly 15 gigawatts of coal generation was retired in 2015 to comply with federal pollution standards, and another 2 GW has been earmarked through 2020. (SNL / Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)

BIOFUELS: Brazil emerges as a major buyer of corn-based ethanol produced in Iowa. (Houston Chronicle)

UTILITIES: Michigan-based Consumers Energy’s first female president says she is part of the growing diversity among the utility’s leadership. (MLive)

EFFICIENCY: A new industry report says the cost of energy efficiency is still much less than building a new power plant. (Utility Dive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Electric car ownership is steadily increasing in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. (Telegraph Herald)

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RENEWABLES: After a variety of renewable energy technologies were accidentally omitted from the latest investment tax credit, federal lawmakers are discussing whether they should be continued. (E&E Daily)

COMMENTARY:
• Advocates hope Ohio Gov. John Kasich will address clean energy in his annual State of the State speech today. (NRDC Switchboard)
• Marathon’s agreeing to lower sulfur dioxide emissions from its Detroit refinery after public pressure is a battle won in the ongoing war over the region’s air pollution. (Detroit Free Press)
• The fizzling out of a ​“clean coal” project in Illinois may be a blessing in disguise. (News-Gazette)