Wal-Mart calls Ohio utility’s request ​‘unfair’

RATES: Ratepayer advocates in Indiana reach a settlement with Duke Energy over costs to run a new coal gasification plant, though more challenges could come in the future over the plant’s operations. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• Wal-Mart remains a vocal opponent of AEP’s income-guarantee request in Ohio, saying the costs would be ​“extensive and unfair” for ratepayers. (Columbus Business First)
• In December, energy prices in grid operator MISO’s market were the lowest they had been since 2009. (RTO Insider)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join more than 600 innovators and decision-makers February 24-26 in Chicago for the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference. With live demonstrations, insightful panels and unparalleled networking, MES 2016 is a can’t-miss conference. Register today!***

EMISSIONS: Air pollution caused by the energy sector alone costs more than $100 billion a year in damages as a result from health impacts. (Washington Post)

PIPELINES: Michigan’s attorney general reinforces his position that the oil pipeline running beneath the Straits of Mackinac has a limited lifespan and wouldn’t have been built under today’s regulatory standards. (MLive)

NUCLEAR: The Davis-Besse nuclear plant in Ohio will return to full service this week after idling for several days due to a power failure. (Toledo Blade)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Tesla applies for a dealership license to sell its cars in Michigan, testing a bill signed in 2014 that company says effectively bans them from the state. (Detroit News)

OIL AND GAS:
• Credit rating agencies issue new warnings about the financial stress on oil patch companies. (EnergyWire)
• North Dakota state agencies need to cut their budgets by nearly $250 million in the wake of low oil and agriculture revenues. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• The CEO of AEP laughs when asked on national television whether he’d buy an oil and gas company in light of the industry’s struggles: ​“No,” he said. (Columbus Business First)

SOLAR: An Illinois utility looks to set aside $1 million for a solar project. (State Journal-Register)

COAL:
• New federal rules meant to improve air quality in underground coal mines take effect this week. (Associated Press)
• Coal mining layoffs continue in southern Illinois. (Southern Illinoisan)

EFFICIENCY:
• Ohio-based fast-food chain Wendy’s pledges to reduce energy use at its company-owned restaurants 20 percent over the next 10 years. (Columbus Dispatch)
• The effort is part of the federal government’s larger Better Buildings Program. (Utility Dive)
• A Nebraska farmer uses an energy efficient greenhouse to grow tropical fruit in the Midwest. (Grist)
• General Electric announces that it will no longer manufacture compact fluorescent light bulbs as it shifts production to LEDs. (New York Times)

*** SPONSORED LINK: Solar Powering Iowa, March 23-24 in Cedar Rapids will be packed with an energizing mix of trainings, keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking. Register now for earlybird rates! Presented by MREA, ISETA, CRA, ELPC, and GPI.***

UTILITIES:
• The incoming CEO of Michigan-based Consumers Energy says the utility is focused on a ​“balanced portfolio” that reflects declining renewable energy prices. (MLive)
• A Kansas utility receives permission to use drones for a variety of tasks, including finding storm damage and inspecting wind turbine blades. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY:
• Michigan environmental officials may repeat their mistakes associated with the Flint water crisis by approving oil well drilling in a Detroit suburb. (Michigan Radio)
• The Iowa caucuses do little more than provide a handout to the state’s ethanol industry. (Chicago Tribune)