Report: Ohio utilities projected efficiency savings before standards freeze

OHIO: State regulators begin hearings Monday on a controversial proposal from FirstEnergy to guarantee income from struggling nuclear and coal plants. (Midwest Energy News)

FRACKING: A countywide elections board rejects advocates’ attempts to put an anti-fracking ballot measure before Youngstown, Ohio voters. (Youngstown Vindicator)

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EFFICIENCY:
• A new report shows Ohio utilities had projected major efficiency savings under a mandate prior to lawmakers’ freezing the statewide standard last year. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• ​“Flexiwatts” technology may be the next generation in customers’ ability to reduce their energy use and lower bills. (Utility Dive)
• Two Ohio companies are recognized by the White House for their plan to renovate 12,000 low-income homes in 13 states with efficiency upgrades. (Dayton Business Journal)

OIL AND GAS:
• Environmental groups are preparing to sue the EPA over what they see as lax regulation over oil and gas drilling waste. (Greenwire)
• A refinery outside of St. Louis shuts down some of its operations after a cooling tower collapses. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

OZONE: Manufacturers in Wisconsin speak out against proposed federal ground-level ozone rules, saying they will ​“stifle the economy and kill millions of jobs.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MINING: An Ohio family’s home is sinking into the ground and state officials are investigating whether it’s due to an abandoned coal mine. (The Independent)

WIND:
• Officials in an Iowa county reject a proposed wind project due to health, property and wildlife concerns raised by residents. (Associated Press)
• A wind developer says it may sue an Illinois county over its proposed setback rules. (Rockford Register Star)

ETHANOL: At a campaign stop in Iowa, Hillary Clinton announces her plan to support the ethanol industry as part of a broader rural aid package. (Washington Post)

PIPELINE: Enbridge makes progress on a 167-mile, $900 million pipeline running through Illinois. (Bloomington Pantagraph)

SOLAR:
• Xcel Energy looks to buy land from a Wisconsin county to build the state’s largest solar garden. (LaCrosse Tribune)
• DTE Energy announces plans for a 800 kw array in southeast Michigan. (WDIV-TV)

RATE INCREASE: State regulators approve a $78 million rate increase for a major Kansas utility that does not include a fixed solar fee the company sought. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

OIL TRAINS: A flurry of state activity around the country seeks to tighten regulations on the freight industry. (Governing Magazine)

MERGER: Exelon weighs its next options after D.C. regulators reject its proposed $6.8 billion merger with Pepco. (EnergyWire)

COAL: Coal sees its sharpest decline in Midwest states. (Platts)

AWARD: A Minnesota legislator is recognized by the state Municipal Utilities Association for his work opposing more regulations on municipal utilities and co-ops. (Northfield News)

COMMENTARY: Michigan Democrats’ energy plan will mean a brighter future for the state. (Detroit News)