CLIMATE: As the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere approaches 400 parts per million — a level never before seen by humans — a Hawaii observatory begins posting daily updates. (ClimateWire)

WISCONSIN: A new report warns that Wisconsin’s economic competitiveness could be at risk if the state doesn’t diversify its electricity sources. (Midwest Energy News)

WIND: Environmental groups and utilities in Nebraska debate how much of a role the state’s slow embrace of wind energy was a factor in losing a Facebook data center to Iowa, as the legislature quickly advances a bill providing tax breaks for wind farm components. (Lincoln Journal Star, Omaha World-Herald)

ALSO: A controversial Minnesota wind farm may be entering its final chapter; and after months of debate, an Illinois county decides against changing its wind ordinance. (Minnesota Watchdog, Danville Commercial-News)

OIL:
• A spill of 600 gallons of crude from a Minnesota pipeline is blamed on an equipment failure. (DeSmogBlog)
• A North Dakota company faces sanctions from OSHA, and a fine of $33,000, following the death of an oil field worker. (Fargo Forum)
• A study finds the oil boom so far has only had a modest impact on the economic recovery, and a White House spokesman says increased domestic oil production is unlikely to lessen the U.S. military presence in the Middle East. (Washington Post, The Hill)
• Thousands of activists plan massive protests against the Keystone XL pipeline. (Houston Chronicle)

FRACKING: Developers of the FracFocus disclosure site defend the project after a recent critical study. (EnergyWire)

POLLUTION: State regulators prepare for “significant” cuts to local pollution enforcement following sequester-related reductions in the EPA’s budget. (Greenwire)

COAL: Environmental groups call for a formal review of a Minnesota utility’s plan to upgrade a coal plant. (Duluth News Tribune)

BIOENERGY: The Department of Energy and the dairy industry renew an effort to promote energy-saving practices on farms. (Bloomberg)

EFFICIENCY: Shareholders of a Missouri utility will vote today on a proposed efficiency resolution. (Joplin Globe)

SOLAR: Neighbors offer input on a proposed new solar array at the University of Michigan. (AnnArbor.com)

COMMENTARY: How will the energy picture change in ten years? (New York Times)

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.

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