Regional planning agency calls for 4.7 MW of solar around Twin Cities

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OHIO: Critics say a legislative committee’s report to continue the freeze on the state’s energy standards not only ignores clean-energy benefits, but also includes giveaways to utilities and large energy users. (Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY: A new report from Michigan’s energy regulatory agency shows that the state’s efficiency standard will save ratepayers billions of dollars. (Midwest Energy News) 

***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.***

POLLUTION: Residents in a Detroit neighborhood are concerned that a new international bridge crossing will bring even more air pollution to one of the state’s most polluted areas. (Michigan Radio)

SOLAR:
• The regional planning agency in the Twin Cities plans to install 4.7 megawatts of solar at various locations in the region. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A former Monsanto employee leaves the company to become one of the largest solar developers in the country. (Muscatine Journal)

COAL:
• The U.S. EPA identifies nearly 40 coal-fired units nationwide that either do not have or are not fully using scrubbers to comply with the agency’s new ozone rules. (RTO Insider)
• Murray Energy sues the Obama administration over not responding to the company’s FOIA request related to new stream protection rules. (Observer-Reporter)
• Citigroup announces that it will cut back on financing coal-mining projects. (Bloomberg)
• Hillary Clinton says Patriot Coal’s bankruptcy plan is ​“outrageous and must be stopped” because it diverts money set aside for retired coal miners and their families. (Reuters)

POLITICS: Democrats withdraw support from a sweeping federal energy bill package after Republicans add a series of amendments opponents say only benefit polluters. (RTO Insider)

HYDRO: Dubuque, Iowa wants to look closer at building a hydroelectric plant on the Mississippi River. (Telegraph Herald)

FRAC SAND: Advocates withdraw their proposal to ban frac sand mining in a Minnesota county. (LaCrosse Tribune)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: Governors in North Dakota and Wyoming are pushing the Obama administration for more time to comply with federal carbon rules. (ClimateWire)

ADVOCACY: Some suppliers are sharply criticizing a proposal that would fund a consumer advocacy group in PJM’s territory through a small assessment on customers. (RTO Insider)

TRANSMISSION: Wisconsin-based ATC plans to spend $3.7 billion to $4.5 billion over the next 10 years to upgrade the state’s transmission system. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

COMMENTARY: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown says coal miners deserve a better claims process for accessing health benefits. (Ashland Times-Gazette)