OVERSIGHT: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers appoints a clean energy advocate to the state’s Public Service Commission, a move praised by utilities and consumer advocates. (Wisconsin State Journal)
ALSO: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appoints a former state energy official and clean energy lobbyist to the state’s Public Utilities Commission. (Rochester Post Bulletin)
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FRAC SAND: The Minnesota Supreme Court rules that a county’s ban on frac sand mining did not violate the Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution. (Winona Daily News)
PIPELINES: The Keystone XL pipeline’s developer starts preliminary work along the proposed route as opponents await a court ruling on a request to block any work. (Associated Press)
SOLAR: Minnesota lawmakers are working on legislation aimed at providing relief to homeowners who have been scammed by solar businesses after another company loses its license in the state for substandard work. (Star Tribune)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A southeastern Wisconsin city installs its first Level 2 and fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. (WiscNews)
BIOFUELS: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Chuck Grassley urge the Trump administration not to appeal a federal court ruling that sided with ethanol producers over waivers given to small refiners. (Radio Iowa, E&E News, subscription)
GRID: Grid operator MISO expects 4,250 MW of wind and 730 MW of natural gas generation to come online in its territory by mid-summer. (S&P Global)
WIND: A Kansas aviation company signs a 20-year agreement for 55 MW of wind energy through utility Evergy. (AIN Online)
COMMENTARY:
• Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the state is poised to be a mobility leader if it can “master trends” involving autonomous and electric vehicles. (Crain’s Detroit Business)
• An Ohio editorial board backs efforts by former elected officials, including former Gov. John Kasich, to address climate change and transition to net zero carbon emissions. (Columbus Dispatch)
• The coal industry’s decline has resulted in significant economic challenges for some Indiana communities, though officials are “rising to meet the challenge,” an editorial board says. (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)