Minnesota city aims for 100% renewables by 2031

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REGULATION: Ohio’s EPA director says it’s a ​“very difficult environment” for electricity generators due to a host of new federal regulations. (Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE CHANGE:
• Rochester, Minnesota aims for 100 percent renewables by 2031. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• AEP is one of 11 large international power companies to jointly issue recommendations ahead of the Paris climate summit. (Columbus Business First)

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CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• Following the lead of other Midwest states, officials within PJM’s territory are discussing best ways for a collaborative approach to complying with the federal rules. (EnergyWire)
• Part of those discussions center around the importance of carbon trading for states where it might be tougher to comply. (EnergyWire)
• A North Dakota agency will develop a statewide compliance plan as the state attorney general fights the rules in court. (Bismarck Tribune)

OIL AND GAS: Unlike during an industry downturn in the past, many oil patch towns have diversified their economies to be attractive to non-energy businesses. (Forbes)

TRANSMISSION: Utility officials say a new high-voltage line connecting Minnesota and Wisconsin will improve reliability and provide a ​“renewable energy pipeline.” (LaCrosse Tribune)

INVESTMENT: Two Ohio counties are poised to see $2 billion in investment from companies looking to build major natural-gas and clean-energy facilities. (Youngstown Vindicator)

EMISSIONS: While carbon emissions are declining, overall greenhouse gas emissions — particularly methane — are increasing with more reliance on natural gas, a new study finds. (Climate Central)

FRAC SAND: Despite layoffs in Wisconsin amid an industry downtown, there is still demand for frac sand. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

COAL:
• Strategic investors are getting harder to come by in the industry. (Wall Street Journal)
• A Kansas utility will retire three units by the end of the year. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
• FirstEnergy will use a technique to remove water from waste at its largest coal plant in Pennsylvania to help solve disposal problems. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

***SPONSORED LINK: Hear top executives from the area’s RTOs, utilities, transmission developers, and state regulatory agencies discuss and debate critical issues at EUCI’s Transmission Expansion in the Midwest conference November 9-10 in Indianapolis.***

RAIL SAFETY: Federal regulators announce new rail safety measures, including more intensive on-the-ground inspections. (Los Angeles Times)

CAPACITY AUCTION: Observers say it’s a rare move for federal regulators to be investigating a major price spike following a recent capacity auction in downstate Illinois. (Crain’s Chicago Business)