Plan to subsidize Ohio nuclear plants appears to be stalled

NUCLEAR:
• Legislation to subsidize FirstEnergy’s Ohio nuclear plants appears to be stalled in committee. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• With the exception of Illinois, similar plans to support nuclear plants have failed to gain traction in other states. (Bloomberg)

EFFICIENCY: An expansion of the opt-out provisions for Ohio’s energy efficiency standard will likely lead to over $6 billion in added energy and health costs over the next decade, according to a new report. (Midwest Energy News)

ELECTRIC CARS: Advocates for electric vehicles in Minnesota explain why they think a new $75 annual fee is too high. (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR:
• The U.S. adds 2 gigawatts of solar in the first quarter of 2017, as utility-scale system prices drop below $1 per watt for the first time, according to a new report. (Greentech Media)
• Minnesota jumps to 4th in the U.S. for new installed solar capacity in the first quarter of the year. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• Underlying demand from ratepayers is key to the success of utility-led community solar programs, according to an examination of programs across the U.S. (Utility Dive)
• Ohio farmers discuss their experience with solar power. (Farm and Dairy)

PIPELINES: Enbridge begins pressure testing Line 5 beneath the Straits of Mackinac amid growing concerns about the aging oil pipelines. (Detroit News)

OIL AND GAS:
• North Dakota’s oil industry is showing signs of a rebound. (Tribune News Service)
• A federal agency may require companies operating in North Dakota to pay royalties for flaring natural gas on federal and tribal land. (Bismarck Tribune)

WIND: A wind turbine fire captured on video in Iowa early this week is an example of an ​“exceedingly rare” event; the rest of the wind farm remains operational. (Des Moines Register)

CLEAN ENERGY: A forum in southern Illinois will focus on the development of clean energy jobs in the area. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

UTILITIES: Ameren Illinois CEO Richard Mark reflects on his past five years of leading the company. (St. Louis American)

COMMENTARY:
• A community wind advocate urges voters in a South Dakota county to reject strict setback rules. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
• A pair of Missouri mayors urge state regulators to approve the Grain Belt Express transmission line. (St. Louis Business Journal)