Settlement raises hope for Lake Michigan coal ash cleanup

COAL: A proposed settlement between environmental groups and the U.S. EPA raises hopes among advocates that coal ash storage sites along Lake Michigan and beyond may be remediated. (Energy News Network)

RENEWABLES: ​“It’s almost like a cult”: In Michigan, rural officials and farmers face fierce opposition and harassment from a small but vocal group of people opposing wind and solar projects. (Yale Climate Connections)

NUCLEAR:
• A bipartisan group of Illinois lawmakers seek to remove the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plant construction to help meet emission targets. (WAND)
• A company considers plans to build a small nuclear plant in South Dakota that could produce between 80 and 320 megawatts of power. (South Dakota Searchlight)

OHIO: Former House Speaker Larry Householder is expected to take the stand today in his racketeering trial involving the state’s power plant bailout law. (Cleveland.com)

PIPELINES:
• Iowa House lawmakers advance a bill limiting the use of eminent domain for carbon capture pipelines, a day after Senate lawmakers rejected a competing bill that would have exempted three existing proposals. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
• An Iowa county approves zoning restrictions, including new setback distances, for carbon pipelines as state lawmakers consider legislation that would require developers to comply with local zoning requirements. (The Courier)

UTILITIES:
• Critics question whether prolonged power outages in Michigan will erode the influence that DTE Energy and Consumers Energy have built up over time at the state capital. (MLive)
• The trial of four people accused of trying to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for beneficial policies for ComEd has been delayed by a week. (Chicago Sun-Times)

WIND: Kansas lawmakers consider legislation requiring new wind farms to curb light pollution from blinking red lights at night. (KCUR)

OIL & GAS: A recent train derailment in eastern Ohio is renewing concerns about moving natural gas by rail and whether existing federal regulations should be changed. (E&E News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The U.S. Postal Service is buying 9,250 Ford electric vans and 14,000 charging stations as part of a move to transition its fleet to electric vehicles. (Associated Press)

SOLAR:
• Central Michigan county officials approve plans for a 93-acre solar project over objections from some local residents about removing agricultural land. (Lansing State Journal)
• An Illinois hospital system signs long-term community solar agreements that could save the company nearly $200,000 a year on electricity bills. (PV Magazine)

COMMENTARY: Clean energy analysts say adopting policies such as renewable energy and zero-emission vehicle standards can help Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin achieve long-term climate goals. (Energy News Network)