FOSSIL FUELS: An analysis finds China has only followed through on about 5% of its commitments to purchase U.S. oil, coal, and other energy commodities this year. (Reuters)

CLIMATE: While scientists have narrowed the range of likely climate change impacts, a new study says our current trajectory on emissions is pointing to the worst outcome. (InsideClimate News)

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PUBLIC LANDS:
• The NAACP opposes William Perry Pendley leading the BLM, saying the nominee is a “bigoted and divisive extremist.” (E&E News)
• More than 300 environmental groups say the Senate has a “moral duty” to reject Pendley’s nomination. (The Hill)

UTILITIES:
• President Trump fires the Tennessee Valley Authority’s board chair and another board member and urges the board to replace its CEO with a lower-paid executive. (Associated Press)
• Trump signs an executive order forbidding federal agencies from moving jobs overseas in response to TVA outsourcing at least 120 information technology jobs. (Knoxville News Sentinel)
• The executive director of the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority resigns after running the company since Hurricane Maria. (E&E News, subscription)
• An Ohio solar developer says FirstEnergy “captured the rulemakers and stacked the deck against clean energy and in favor of the status quo.” (E&E News, subscription)

COAL: A federal judge extends Blackjewel’s bankruptcy case through the end of the year, giving the coal operator 60 additional days to file a reorganization plan. (Casper Star-Tribune)

SOLAR: Connecticut moves forward with a large scale shared solar program, designed to not repeat the mistakes of a pilot project that failed to gain traction. (Energy News Network)

WIND: Some Iowa lawmakers seek to block a plan that would give state utility regulators more authority over private property rights for wind projects. (Radio Iowa)

EFFICIENCY:
• A policy advocate says Dominion Energy over-relies on blockbuster projects and should invest more in energy efficiency to benefit its customers. (Energy News Network)
• New York is spending $1 billion to improve energy efficiency opportunities for more than 350,000 low-and moderate-income households. (Grist)

TRANSPORTATION:
• Electric truck startup Lordstown Motors will become a publicly traded company in a deal that will boost its valuation to $1.6 billion and includes a $75 million investment from General Motors. (Detroit Free Press)
• A Colorado aerospace company remains committed to producing electric airplanes despite the coronavirus pandemic. (Denver Post) 

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MEDIA: A new study finds news organizations disproportionately emphasize industry groups opposing action on climate change. (Popular Science)

COMMENTARY: Putting a price on carbon is losing favor as a preferred strategy among climate advocates. (WBUR)

 

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.