OIL TRAINS: An analysis finds nearly 1.4 million Ohioans live within a half-mile of rail lines carrying explosive Bakken crude oil. (Columbus Dispatch)

BIOFUELS: Industry and environmental advocates reach a compromise on Minnesota legislation that critics said would encourage more corn production. (Midwest Energy News)

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EPA: Ohio regulators say they don’t want the legislature to interfere in compliance plans for the Clean Power Plan. (EnergyWire)

CLIMATE: A Minnesota lawmaker’s proposed energy bill would eliminate the state’s carbon reduction target. (Renewable + Law)

UTILITIES: FERC clears the way for Dynegy to acquire Duke Energy’s Midwest power plants. (Charlotte Business Journal)

OIL AND GAS:
• Enbridge says low oil prices won’t slow its Minnesota pipeline projects. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A drilling company seeks an exemption to North Dakota flaring rules until a proposed pipeline and processing plant are completed. (Bismarck Tribune)
• The impact of increased truck traffic is starting to become apparent on Ohio roads. (Columbus Dispatch)
• An EPA analysis identifies nearly 700 chemicals used in fracking. (The Hill)

FRAC SAND: Records show a zoning official in a Minnesota county threatened frac sand opponents. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

SOLAR:
• Large-scale solar projects are facing opposition in Minnesota. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
• A Minnesota school district expects to cut its energy bills 5 percent with a new solar project. (Forum News Service)

NUCLEAR: Exelon says “we’re not looking for a bailout” for Illinois nuclear plants. (Chicago Sun-Times)

WIND: The CEO of the American Wind Energy Association says the group is “encouraging other states to follow Minnesota’s lead.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

TECHNOLOGY: A report foresees strong growth for Wisconsin companies in the energy storage business. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

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HYDROPOWER: A company will try again with a proposal for a new hydropower facility in downtown Minneapolis after being rejected by federal regulators. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

COMMENTARY: 
• Ohio’s limited oversight of fracking means it shouldn’t be allowed on public lands. (Toledo Blade)
• Ohio should listen to grid operators, not utilities, on reliability. (Crain’s Cleveland Business)
• Efforts to slow renewable energy growth in Kansas are “a step in the wrong direction.” (Lawrence Journal-World)