Minnesota solar company raises $25M for expansion

CLIMATE: Michigan researchers have developed a way to assign financial liability to greenhouse gas-emitting power plants, which could have implications for potential lawsuits against utilities. (Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY: Despite a weakened energy efficiency law in Indiana, advocates score a victory in a recent regulatory decision against a utility’s efficiency proposal. (Midwest Energy News)

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SOLAR: A Minnesota-based solar company raises $25 million in equity — mostly from leading investment firm Goldman Sachs — to expand its business following three consecutive years of growth. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

COAL:
• Arch Coal’s bankruptcy is not expected to disrupt shipments to Minnesota utilities. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• An Illinois community braces for a financial hit as a local coal mine shuts down. (Hillsboro Journal-News)

EMISSIONS: While state renewable standards are providing important climate change benefits, they have only ​“just scratched the surface” on emissions reductions. (Climate Central)

STATE OF THE UNION: ​“If you were a time traveler from 2009, you would not recognize the energy world of 2016.” (EnergyWire)

CYBERSECURITY: A new book by Ted Koppel warns that U.S. emergency officials are not prepared to deal with major cyberattacks against the grid. (Energy Times)

DEMAND RESPONSE: Clean-energy advocates are hopeful that, as the U.S. Supreme Court takes more time to decide on a FERC energy conservation rule, the less likely it will be killed altogether. (Greenwire)

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RAIL: Industry officials predict a ​“freight recession” coming this year as weak demand for coal and crude oil persists. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY:
• Arch Coal says if it can unload debt that it can be profitable again, which continues to ignore market reality. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
• In Ohio, ​“There is so much to gain if we could only shift away from rhetoric and toward practical, smartly crafted clean energy policy.” (NRDC Switchboard)
• There’s ​“no reason” to prohibit nuclear power as a potential future energy source in Wisconsin. (Portage Daily Register)
• Business advocates in Minnesota say research, development and ​“measurable goals” are a better way to deploy renewables than ​“restrictive state mandates.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Requiring more disclosure on why some oil and gas companies receive reduced fines for spills in North Dakota makes sense. (Bismarck Tribune)