Pritzker energy bill seeks oversight reforms, nuclear subsidies

POLICY: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces sweeping legislation in response to the ComEd bribery scandal that includes stricter transparency standards for the state’s main utility watchdog. (WBEZ)

ALSO: The proposal also incorporates elements from competing clean energy bills and calls for short-term subsidies for two nuclear plants in an attempt to balance interests of clean energy advocates and labor unions. (Chicago Tribune)

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SOLAR:
• A planned 500 MW solar in Kansas would by far be the largest in the state that has generally lagged in solar development. (Shawnee Mission Post)
• An Indiana school district considers installing solar at two elementary schools that could save up to $90,000 a year in electricity costs. (Journal Review)
• Critics say a utility’s proposed tariff for solar-generating customers could thwart solar development in South Dakota. (Rapid City journal)
• A growing number of Ohio farmers see financial stability through land leases for utility-scale solar projects. (Farm and Dairy)

PIPELINES:
• Shutting down the Line 5 pipeline could further strain ties between the U.S. and Canada, which has increasingly stepped up pressure to keep the line open in the Straits of Mackinac. (Associated Press)
• An Upper Peninsula-based tribe is challenging a Michigan agency’s permit allowing Enbridge to build a tunnel for Line 5. (news release)

STORAGE: University of Minnesota researchers seek additional funding to explore the use of ammonia for energy storage. (MinnPost)

BIOFUELS: Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb vetoes a bill that would have required additional labeling for gas pumps that distribute ethanol. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY: Illinois plans to distribute $15 million to two downstate community colleges for electric vehicle manufacturing and renewable energy training programs. (State Journal-Register)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Toyota plans to add 1,400 jobs at an Indiana manufacturing plant to build a new electrified SUV model. (CNN)

OIL & GAS:
• Additional processing and high gas-to-oil ratios may lead to short-term natural gas production growth in the Bakken region. (S&P Global)
• A nationwide trucking workforce shortage could disrupt available supplies of gasoline for consumers. (NBC News)

UTILITIES: The finalist for the CEO position at Omaha Public Power District has been with the utility for four years and currently serves as its CFO. (KETV)

BIOENERGY: NextEra Energy is working with a developer to build Minnesota’s first landfill renewable natural gas production facility. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY: Restrictions on how rural school districts can spend revenue from wind development has limited the impact on student achievement, researchers find. (The Conversation)