Wisconsin officials back off plan requiring pipeline cleanup trust fund

ILLINOIS: Exelon will continue to pursue legislation guaranteeing revenue for its Illinois nuclear plants, despite results from a recent capacity auction that will ensure their operation through mid-2019. (Midwest Energy News)

PIPELINES:
• An analysis of federal data finds new pipelines installed in response to the shale boom are failing at a rate on par with lines installed before the 1940s. (SNL Energy)
• Citing legal constraints, county officials in Wisconsin are backing off a plan to require Enbridge to set up a cleanup fund in case a spill occurs. (Wisconsin State Journal)

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OHIO: A coalition of clean-energy businesses releases a report suggesting state lawmakers should reinstate renewable and efficiency standards. (Columbus Dispatch)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: A federal appeals court denies states’ efforts to block the plan. (The Hill)

EFFICIENCY:
• Kansas City emerges as a national leader in promoting energy efficiency. (Bloomberg Philanthropies)
• Researchers are developing a cloud-based data analysis tool that would streamline building operations to maximize efficiency. (Phys.org)

BIOFUELS:
• Researchers at Michigan State University receive a $5 million federal grant to better understand how biofuel crops could maximize yields while lowering fertilizer use. (Biofuels Digest)
• Environmental groups are calling on Michigan regulators to impose stricter air pollution rules on an Upper Peninsula biomass plant. (Michigan Radio)

SOLAR:
• The design of new solar cells being developed at the University of Michigan is inspired by Japanese kirigami. (Slash Gear)
• How a tea party Republican could help Michigan Democrats grow clean energy in the state. (Lansing City Pulse)

COAL:
• Forthcoming federal regulations on coal ash are expected to have a limited effect on the power sector because of the way the product is most often disposed of. (Utility Dive)
• Residents and environmental groups continue to pressure Illinois regulators to hold a coal plant to federal air quality standards. (Chicago Tribune)

RAIL: CSX says weak demand in coal means profits in the second half of this year will be lower than expected. (Associated Press)

WISCONSIN: State lawmakers take up legislation addressing local revenue losses when power plants close. (Grant County Herald Independent)

TRIBAL LAND: A panel of tribal leaders consider initiatives to oppose oil pipelines and develop wind energy. (Bismarck Tribune)

ELECTRIC CHOICE: Energy firms in Nebraska push for changes to allow for competition between alternative energy suppliers and public utilities. (Associated Press)

OIL AND GAS:
• Talks over merging two major industry groups are causing internal consternation over how the gas industry will be represented. (E&E Daily)
• Ohio issues permit No. 2,000 to drill in the Utica shale play. (Columbus Business First)
• Stanford researchers show that programs to replace leaking natural gas pipelines in cities are working well. (Phys.org)

COMMENTARY: The Detroit News says Michigan should restructure its net metering program so customers aren’t subsidizing those with solar installations.