Wisconsin, Indiana leaders praise Clean Power Plan delay

CLEAN POWER PLAN: In a major setback for the Obama administration, the Supreme Court makes an ​“unprecedented” vote to temporarily block the Clean Power Plan as opponents challenge the rule. (New York Times)

ALSO:
• Wisconsin’s governor and attorney general praised the ​“extraordinary” decision, saying it is ​“telling of the obvious illegality of the rule.” (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Indiana Gov. Mike Pence also lauded the decision. (Inside Indiana Business)
• Ohio utility FirstEnergy says it will ​“work with states” if they continue to develop their compliance plans; AEP says it will continue to reduce emissions by transitioning to more natural gas and renewables. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• A coal industry official in North Dakota says the state’s ​“continued prosperity” is at stake if the rules ultimately stand. (Jamestown Sun)
• Coal states win on a ​“Hail Mary” pass. (Forbes)
• The Obama administration vows to press ahead with the plan. (Associated Press)

***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!***

BUDGET: President Obama’s $4.1 trillion ​“climate smart” budget plan is expected to be largely ignored by Republicans. (Greenwire)

EFFICIENCY:
• Missouri regulators will vote today on whether to approve a new three-year, $158 million efficiency program for the state’s largest utility, which will target low-income ratepayers and renters. (Midwest Energy News)
• South Dakota’s governor signs a bill into law that allows state and local governments to pay for efficiency upgrades through the savings they create. (Associated Press)

FINANCING: A new program in Iowa and Minnesota will support the development of on-bill financing to help households reduce energy use or generate their own power. (Midwest Energy News)

OIL AND GAS:
• Illinois’ attorney general and a utility watchdog group file a formal complaint saying officials with Peoples Gas ​“knowingly misled” state regulators about a multi-million dollar natural gas infrastructure upgrade. (CBS Chicago)
• The IEA says oil supply will outpace demand this year, preventing any expected price increases. (Associated Press)
• Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley says President Obama’s $10-per-barrel oil tax ​“will die a quick death in Congress.” (Radio Iowa)

FRACKING: County officials are expected to discuss today the storing of radioactive fracking waste at a landfill in metro Detroit. (MLive)

WIND: Local officials in South Dakota reject a proposed wind farm, but the project could go up for a public vote. (Mitchell Daily Republic)

*** SPONSORED LINK: Solar Powering Iowa, March 23-24 in Cedar Rapids will be packed with an energizing mix of pre-conference trainings, keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking. Register now for early bird rates (through February 17th)!***

TRANSPORTATION: South Dakota lawmakers reject a plan to increase fees for hybrid and electric vehicles whose revenue would go into the state highway fund. (Rapid City Journal)

TRANSMISSION:
• ITC Holdings, which owns high-voltage transmission facilities across the Midwest, is bought out by a Canadian utility for $6.9 billion. (Associated Press)
• DTE Energy looks to continue a multi-year effort to modernize its distribution infrastructure in southeast Michigan. (Transmission & Distribution World)