Nebraska aims for five-fold increase in solar generation this year

SOLAR: Nebraska is set to quintuple the amount of solar being produced in the state this year. (NET)

ALSO:
• Advocates say a northern Minnesota utility’s community solar program would limit third-party developers in its service territory. (Midwest Energy News)
• The Minnesota Court of Appeals rejects arguments from a third-party developer that state regulators acted improperly by approving Xcel Energy’s community solar program. (Renewable+Law)
• Construction starts today on a 50,000-panel solar project in southwest Michigan. (Associated Press)
• A group looks to heighten solar awareness for residents in Columbus, Indiana. (The Republic)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Michigan Energy Fair announces two new partners: The Sustainable Living Summit 2016 and The Great Lakes Emergency Preparedness Expo, June 24-25, Ingham County Fairgrounds, Mason, Michigan. For complete information go to www.glrea.org ***

POLICY:
• A diverse coalition of groups stand in opposition to proposed energy reform in Michigan, saying the bills would cost ratepayers $4 billion over the next 10 years. (MLive)
• The Michigan Senate holds off on voting on the bills so lawmakers can have more time to understand what’s in them. (Detroit News)

RATES:
• A new auction process in Ohio looks to slow or halt the rising costs of a utility program that helps low-income residents pay their bills. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Several municipalities in Indiana and southwest Michigan look to break out of contracts with their utility early to get a better deal elsewhere. (South Bend Tribune)

NUCLEAR: Plants in Illinois and Ohio are important test cases of efforts to bail out uneconomic nuclear facilities. (New York Times)

MICROGRID: A Minnesota university will begin work this summer on a $2.1 million microgrid research and testing facility. (St. Thomas Newsroom)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: State officials across the country continue to hold closed-door meetings about the future of the federal rules. (ClimateWire)

PIPELINES: Iowa regulators will meet today to discuss whether a developer can start construction on the Dakota Access pipeline in areas of the state. (Radio Iowa)

EMISSIONS: State officials submit a plan to the U.S. EPA to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in southeast Michigan. (Associated Press)

WIND:
• North Dakota regulators will hold a hearing today on a proposed 100-megawatt wind project. (Associated Press)
• Officials in Springfield, Illinois are upset over the ongoing costs of a wind contract signed 10 years ago as part of a deal with the Sierra Club. (State Journal-Register)

BIOFUELS: Two ethanol plants in Nebraska reopen as their parent company, Spain-based Abengoa, continues to restructure during bankruptcy. (KTIC)

MERGER: In its bid to buy rival Westar Energy, Great Plains Energy agrees to maintain much of Westar’s presence in downtown Topeka. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

TRANSPORTATION: Illinois drivers continue to face long waits at emissions testing facilities for their vehicles. (CBS Chicago)

COMMENTARY: How technology being developed by Exxon Mobil could be a ​“game-changer” in the fight against climate change. (Detroit News)