ELECTION 2020 — FRACKING:
• In a television appearance, Energy Secretary Dan Brouillette claims eliminating fracking would cost 19 million jobs, a sharp increase from the 10 million jobs previously claimed by the Trump administration based on a questionable industry analysis. (Fox Business, The Conversation)
• Economists dismiss President Trump’s claims that fracking supports 300,000 jobs in Wisconsin, a state that has no oil and gas reserves but does supply sand for drilling. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• Analysts note that Joe Biden’s proposal to halt new fracking permits on federal land could actually make Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry more competitive. (InsideClimate News) 

ELECTION 2020 — STATES:
• Pennsylvania, Minnesota and North Carolina are key states where a Democratic flip of state legislatures would have profound effects on energy and climate policy. (E&E News)
• Regulatory elections in Arizona, Texas and other states may have as much impact on climate policy as the race for Congress. (Mother Jones)
• Two races for seats on the board that regulates Georgia utilities are on the ballot today and are considered toss ups. (Athens Banner-Herald)

***SPONSORED LINK: The New England Energy Summit, Nov. 16, 23 and 30 will bring together industry leaders, end users and policymakers to address emerging issues and engage in impactful discussion. Featuring keynote speakers Ernest J. Moniz and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Register at newenglandenergysummit.com .***

OVERSIGHT: Analysts say the Trump administration’s push to “deconstruct the administrative state” has been more rhetoric than substance. (E&E News)

COAL:
• A coalition of environmental groups sue the EPA over its proposed rollback of regulations on wastewater from coal plants. (The Hill)
• Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden is reportedly considering a wide-ranging plan to help struggling coal communities. (E&E News, subscription)
• A 27-year-old nonprofit founded to promote coal announces that it is shifting its focus to economic development, a sign of the industry’s demise. (Appalachian News-Express)

PIPELINES: A pipeline developer and its contractor agree to pay $800,000 in fines and restoration costs for damage to a Massachusetts state forest during construction in 2017. (Masslive)

TRANSMISSION: Federal agencies release a plan to update the Western power grid, a key development in a process that has languished since 2005. (Casper Star-Tribune)

SOLAR:
• Despite a Maryland law passed to encourage large-scale renewable energy projects, solar developers say siting controversies continue to delay projects and put the goals in jeopardy. (Bay Journal)
• Solar energy is growing, but industry advocates worry that a tariff on panels and parts pose a threat to its future. (Jacksonville Free Press)

UTILITIES: FirstEnergy executives warn investors the company’s balance sheet could be hurt by an ongoing investigation into its role in an alleged bribery scheme. (Columbus Business First)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Canadian electric-car maker has narrowed its consideration for a new factory to Arizona and Tennessee. (Thomas Insights)

COMMENTARY:
• An advocate says energy policy discussions are disregarding the cost of doing nothing on climate change. (The Hill)
• A libertarian think tank says a 1920 maritime protectionism law will be a significant barrier to offshore wind development. (Cato Institute)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.