Wind energy quickly displacing coal in Iowa

ILLINOIS: As Illinois officials seek to cut sulfur dioxide levels in two cities, a utility is using the process to seek an exemption for installing pollution controls at one of its coal plants. (Midwest Energy News)

WIND: Wind is rapidly eroding coal’s share of Iowa’s energy mix. (SNL)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join us at the 14^th annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainability Fair, August 22 & 23, 2015, at the Ogle County Fairgrounds in Oregon, Illinois. Speakers, exhibits, children’s activities, music, food.***

NUCLEAR: A rural Wisconsin town laments the closing and decommissioning of a nuclear plant built in the 1970s. (New York Times)

EMISSIONS: A new study shows that emission reductions in the western U.S. are being offset by those coming from China and the upper atmosphere, suggesting the need for global pollution-reduction goals. (Greenwire)

FRAC SAND: West Michigan residents are upset over a resurgence in sand mining along Lake Michigan, and experts suggest it may be to support fracking. (Michigan Radio)

COAL:
• Consumers Energy releases a decommissioning plan for a major coal plant set to retire next year at a prominent West Michigan location. (MLive)
• Coal companies seeking Chapter 11 ​“restructuring” are facing a lot of scrutiny from investors and judges for how their businesses can survive in the future. (EnergyWire)

SOLAR:
• A solar installer says an Iowa power company’s softened stance on net-metering could revive more projects. Background on the story here. (Telegraph Herald, Midwest Energy News)
• Market analysts say 2015 will be the ​“tipping point” for community solar, as steady growth is projected and utilities catch on to the business model. (UtilityDive)

KANSAS: Hearings will begin later this month on a Kansas utility’s plan to raise rates on customers as part of a deal that included backing off on higher fixed charges for solar. (Associated Press)

BIOENERGY: The EPA estimates biodigesters last year eliminated 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. (AFP)

WISCONSIN:
• Lower natural-gas and coal costs are likely to offset rate increases for We Energies ratepayers. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• We Energies has proposed selling a small coal-fired power plant to a local medical center to avoid costs of installing pollution controls. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• A state court rules that a judicial review is not necessary for an air pollution permit given to Enbridge. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: Green Your Ride! The Illinois Solar Energy Association is raffling a 2015 Tesla Model S! Only 2,000 tickets sold. 1 for $100, 4 for $300 www.illinoissolar.org ***

BIOFUELS: $63 million in newly announced federal loans and grants will benefit rural biofuel producers. (Biodiesel Magazine)

COMMENTARY:
• Calls from state regulators and advocates to better limit residents’ exposure to coal dust near a Wisconsin plant is ​“entirely reasonable.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Federal tax credits for renewable energy should be extended. (Quad-City Times)
• A new documentary about Enbridge’s Line 5 below the Straits of Mackinac should be ​“the summer’s top horror flick.” (Grist)