CALIFORNIA: The state’s climate legislation is further scaled back as lawmakers remove a provision establishing long-term climate targets. (Los Angeles Times)

POLLUTION: In a settlement with the EPA, Duke Energy will pay $5.4 million for Clean Air Act violations dating back to the 1990s. (New York Times)

SOLAR:
• Analysts estimate the U.S. will add 1 gigawatt of new solar capacity every month over the next year and a half. (Greentech Media)
• A Hawaii utility signs a deal with a solar provider for on-demand electricity backed by a battery system. (Pacific Business Journal)
• Palm Springs estimates it will save $25 million over the next 25 years by installing solar panels on city structures. (Palm Springs Desert Sun)

OIL: A House subcommittee votes to lift the U.S. ban on crude oil exports. (The Hill)

COAL:
• The coal industry’s decline leaves Appalachian towns struggling to provide public services. (Bloomberg)
• Montana communities being to look ahead to a future without coal. (NPR)
• Regulators in Ohio and Pennsylvania object to the reorganization of Patriot Coal in bankruptcy court, saying it will leave the company without the ability to address pollution and cleanup efforts. (Associated Press)

NATURAL GAS:
• A study finds Manhattan’s natural gas network has more than 1,000 leaks, and that replacement programs in other cities have proven effective. (InsideClimate News)
• Ohio-based Marathon is considering spending billions to reverse natural-gas pipelines in order to ship liquids from the east to the Gulf Coast. (Columbus Business First)

FRACKING: Texas regulators appear poised to clear a second company of responsibility for earthquakes, contradicting scientific research pointing to wastewater injection wells as the cause. (Texas Tribune)

POLITICS:
• A conservative group is pressing Republican presidential candidates on climate change as they visit New Hampshire. (ClimateWire)
• Environmentalists are pushing companies to leave the National Association of Manufacturers over its stance on pollution regulations. (National Journal)

REGULATIONS: A lack of data on ozone emissions from Asia is making it difficult for the Obama administration to craft regulations without a significant industry fight. (Greenwire)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• A study pegs the climate benefit of an electric car at $425, assuming it’s charged with relatively clean electricity. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Events around the country for National Electric Drive Week look to spur interest in electric vehicles. (Midwest Energy News)
• An updated Nissan Leaf will now go 107 miles on a single charge. (Los Angeles Times)

TECHNOLOGY: A California project will test new technology to help smooth solar power’s impact on the grid. (Greentech Media)

CLIMATE: How the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania is working to reduce its carbon emissions to zero. (Audubon Magazine)

MEDIA: Why the Fox buyout of National Geographic may not harm its climate coverage. (Quartz)

COMMENTARY: The Los Angeles Times says it’s “dismaying” to see state lawmakers back down on climate issues.