Report: Wisconsin farmland better suited for solar than ethanol

SOLAR: Wisconsin could produce 100 times more energy by using farmland for solar instead of growing corn for ethanol, according to a state environmental group’s report. (Wisconsin Examiner)

ALSO:
• A northeastern Indiana city continues work on solar siting regulations that would designate a 6,000-acre area for potential development. (The Star)
• North Dakota lawmakers block a bill that would have added a solar industry representative to a state energy commission. (KFGO)
• A proposed 263-acre solar project would be the largest in Dayton, Ohio. (Dayton Daily News)

OHIO: FirstEnergy’s treasurer says during trial that the utility was ​“just bleeding cash” when it pursued a $1.3 billion bailout from state lawmakers that marked the start of a corruption scandal. (Ohio Capital Journal)

COAL: A North Dakota fund supplied by oil and gas revenues was instrumental in helping to finance the sale of the state’s largest coal plant and keep it operating. (Inforum)

CLEAN ENERGY: Ann Arbor, Michigan, begins its ambitious push for net-zero emissions by 2030 in a disadvantaged neighborhood by renovating homes and installing solar. (Grist)

HYDROELECTRIC: Utilities raise concerns about legislation recently advanced by South Dakota lawmakers that could jeopardize the development of a long-planned pumped storage hydroelectric project. (KELO)

PIPELINES: A Minnesota farmer and an attorney discuss ways that landowners can protect themselves as well as benefit from potential carbon pipeline development on their property. (Marshall Independent)

WIND:
• An Iowa company recycles wind turbine components to produce byproducts that are used in concrete, asphalt and similar industries. (WOI-TV)
• An Illinois county adopts a moratorium on wind projects as a recently passed bill would give the state more oversight over siting projects. (Journal-Republican)

GRID: A Nebraska cryptocurrency mining facility uses as much electricity as a nearby town with a population of nearly 34,000 people. (Flatwater Free Press)

RENEWABLES: Detroit-based DTE Energy begins a competitive bidding process for up to 850 MW of new wind and solar projects. (Daily Energy Insider)

OIL & GAS: Ameren is investing $39 million to upgrade its natural gas distribution infrastructure in an Illinois county. (RiverBender.com)

COMMENTARY: The head of an Ohio manufacturing group says Gov. Mike DeWine should appoint a new state energy regulator who prioritizes deregulated markets and lowering costs for ratepayers. (Ohio Capital Journal)