CARBON CAPTURE: A North Dakota carbon capture and storage project represents an important harbinger of how coal could continue to exist on the grid, particularly in rural areas, supporters say. (Energy News Network)
PIPELINES: Iowa regulators agree to double the capacity of the Dakota Access pipeline, finding that it would not “significantly increase the risk of a spill.” (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
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COAL: Critics say a new Indiana law that could delay the retirement of coal plants sends the wrong message about the state. (Statehouse File)
SOLAR:
• Some Michigan solar installers halt work or scale back operations due to the coronavirus. (MiBiz)
• Most U.S. solar manufacturers continue production as “essential” facilities, including First Solar, which has facilities in Ohio and abroad. (Greentech Media)
OIL & GAS: The U.S. EPA is waiving anti-smog requirements for gasoline and extending the deadline for small facilities to comply with biofuels regulations in an effort to help oil refineries deal with the coronavirus. (Reuters)
FRAC SAND: Collapsing oil prices and economic disruption caused by the coronavirus means the “situation has gotten worse” for Minnesota and Wisconsin frac sand producers. (Star Tribune)
BIOFUELS: A Nebraska ethanol plant will stop production in April, citing low demand due to the coronavirus outbreak. (Sioux City Journal)
EMISSIONS: A growing number of campus voices at the University of Michigan are calling on administrators to reduce the school’s emissions immediately. (Michigan Daily)
CLEAN ENERGY: A former advisor to President Obama says long-term investments in clean energy should be part of future stimulus legislation once the coronavirus outbreak is under control. (E&E News, subscription)
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NUCLEAR: The Davis-Besse nuclear plant in Ohio is back online after a scheduled outage and a technical issue with a faulty fuse. (Toledo Blade)
COMMENTARY: Wind and solar expansion, increasing difficulty to secure financing, and lower demand for exports are among the factors likely to contribute to coal’s decline this year, energy analysts say. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)