Energy briefs

**  While Oklahoma’s using some of its Volkswagen AG emissions settlement money to replace school buses, the state of Minnesota will spend $1.7 million to expand electric vehicle charging options. The 22 locations will be created over the next two years along Minnesota’s major highways. A spokesman called it the formation of a “minimum viable network” across the entire state.

** Some 20 sovereign pueblo nations in the state of New Mexico have come out against plans calling for the storage of tons of spent nuclear fuel in the desert Southwest. The All Pueblo Council of Governors adopted a stand last week, saying it was worried about risks associated with transporting the nuclear waste to New Mexico and West Texas.

** A new quarterly report shows the economic growth in Wyoming is starting to slow, citing faltering coal and natural gas production and construction tied to oil and wind energy development.

**  Plans were announced for possible construction of Nebraska’s largest solar project. The Omaha Public Power District proposed the project and the Board of Directors will decide next month whether or not plans will move forward to an RFP process. The company would like to have the project operational by 2023, if it wins approval.

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