OHIO: American Electric Power denies an investment research firm’s report that it plans to sell its Ohio power plants. (Columbus Dispatch)
ALSO: A top Ohio EPA official provides more detail about his dismissal, which he says was the result of coal industry pressure, after 39 years with the agency. (Columbus Dispatch)
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FRAC SAND: Tougher workplace safety rules on silica sand will affect the way it is used in hydraulic fracturing, as well as other industries. (New York Times)
FRACKING: A project to track local health impacts of shale drilling releases its first results. (Associated Press)
NATURAL GAS: Could liquified natural gas power commercial flights in the future? (EnergyWire)
COAL: Indiana environmental groups want the EPA to take over the state’s water oversight, saying coal mines are illegally being allowed to discharge pollution. (Associated Press)
KEYSTONE XL: Canadian documents contradict industry assertions that approval of Keystone XL won’t lead to increased production, and North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp is optimistic the pipeline will be approved. (New York Times, The Hill)
ELECTRIC CARS: Charging stations are seeing little use so far in Iowa, and a Detroit company’s plans for an all-electric roadster fall behind schedule. (Des Moines Register, Detroit News)
POLITICS: A new “Climate Hawks Vote” super-PAC will help support Democrats who make climate change a top priority. (The Hill)
WIND: An Iowa school is selling its 14-year-old wind turbine, saying it will cost more to repair than it is worth. (KTIV)
SOLAR: A Missouri man files a class-action suit over a utility’s solar rebate plan, saying he was left with an inoperable system after the installer was paid before completing the work. (St. Joseph News-Press)
TRANSPORTATION: Neighborhood opposition is slowing development of the Twin Cities’ newest proposed light rail line. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
COMMENTARY: What happens to coal miners in a low-carbon economy? (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)