COAL: Indiana lawmakers pass a bill extending the life of the state’s coal plants for a year while requiring regulators to examine proposed closures. (Indianapolis Star)
ALSO:
• St. Louis coal company Foresight Energy files for bankruptcy, joining its parent company Murray Energy in efforts to restructure amid industry decline. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
• Indiana regulators approve a controversial coal-to-diesel facility despite concerns about the plant’s expected toxic emissions. (Indianapolis Star)
• Sunrise Coal permanently closes a mining operation in southwestern Indiana to reduce financial losses. (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)
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SOLAR:
• A unique Toledo, Ohio, solar project will direct hundreds of thousands of dollars from the project’s electricity sales to a nearby low-income community. (Energy News Network)
• Coronavirus-related supply chain delays may force U.S. solar companies to choose between running down their module supply stored in warehouses or backing out of some projects through force majeure claims. (Greentech Media)
TRANSPORTATION: Michigan announces $8.7 million in grants for schools to replace old diesel buses with clean diesel and propane models, while environmental groups say the money would have been better spent on electric buses. (MiBiz)
WIND:
• The U.S. wind industry is especially sensitive to the “domino effect” of delays from coronavirus, which could prevent companies from capitalizing on a reauthorized production tax credit. (E&E News, subscription)
• Local officials say wind energy brings economic benefits as an eastern Nebraska county considers zoning regulations. (Oakland Independent)
PIPELINES: A North Dakota utility regular raises concerns about a natural gas liquids spill five years ago as the same company seeks to build a new gas pipeline. (Bismarck Tribune)
POLICY: Michigan advocates continue to push “energy freedom” bills that open markets for community solar, microgrids and rooftop solar. (WEMU)
UTILITIES: Ameren seeks to make targeted clean energy investments in its downstate Illinois service territory. (Daily Energy Insider)
GRID: Grid operator PJM has limited employee travel and canceled an upcoming seminar for operators, though questions remain on whether utility and grid employees may risk exposure to keep operations running. (S&P Global)
COMMENTARY: The head of an Ohio community service organization says recent efforts by federal regulators to limit states’ support for renewable energy would benefit farmers. (Columbus Dispatch)