Michigan town bids coal plant farewell

COAL:
• U.S. coal production has fallen to its lowest level in 30 years. (Associated Press)
• A Michigan coal plant is reopened for tours as neighbors mark its closing after 67 years. (MLive)

NATURAL GAS: Advocates say Michigan’s large number of natural gas storage sites could be at risk of a leak like the one that remains out of control in California. (MLive)

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SOLAR:
• Bills to expand solar power in Missouri may have a better shot of passing this year. (Midwest Energy News)
• Iowa lawmakers will consider increasing funds for solar tax credits. (Midwest Energy News)
• Minnesota’s largest community solar garden is now fully subscribed. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

OIL:
• North Dakota regulators will spend more time discussing fines for oil industry violations, but will do so in a closed session. (Fargo Forum)
• Officials in Williston, North Dakota hope the town can sustain its newfound prosperity. (Los Angeles Times)

PIPELINES:
• A Minnesota lawmaker is calling for an outside investigation of a state agency’s activity regarding a proposed pipeline project. (Associated Press)
• Experts say TransCanada is relying on murky legal precedent in its lawsuit over Keystone XL. (EnergyWire)

TECHNOLOGY: How Iowa researchers are contributing to climate change solutions. (Des Moines Register)

BIOFUELS: An Iowa State University scientist says biomass from perennial grasses can be used to cut emissions in coal plants. (Des Moines Register)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join dynamic CEO Mary Powell of Green Mountain Power, renewables thought leader James Tong, Wisconsin utilities, and renewable industry experts for ​“Shaping the Utility of the Future,” Thursday, January 21^st in Madison, Wisconsin. ***

GRID: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson warns Wisconsin officials that the grid may not be prepared for damage that could be caused by a large solar flare or electromagnetic pulse attack. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY: What the energy efficiency sector can learn from Uber and Spotify. (Greentech Media)