WIND: Xcel announces it will add 600 MW of new wind capacity in Minnesota and North Dakota, increasing its wind footprint in the region by one-third, and South Dakota landowners announce plans for a community-owned wind project that would double that state’s capacity. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, Sioux Falls Argus Leader)

SOLAR: A Wisconsin town is testing legal waters with a first-of-its-kind agreement with a solar company. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Inspiring Efficiency Awards recognize Midwest leaders who deliver groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency. Apply or provide a nomination today.***

EPA: The Senate is expected to vote today to confirm Gina McCarthy to lead the U.S. EPA, but the vote could turn into a sideshow over the filibuster. (E&E Daily)

ALSO: Republican attorneys general from 12 states are suing the EPA, claiming the agency is conspiring with environmental groups. (The Hill)

FRAC SAND: A sand taconite mine in Wisconsin is hiring armed, masked militiamen to patrol the property for “eco-terrorists.” (Mother Jones)

OIL: A North Dakota county rejects an oil-field waste landfill, and a AAA official tells the Senate that sub-$3 gasoline is “probably a thing of the past.” (Bismarck Tribune, The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION: Support grows for a high-speed rail connection between Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. (Columbus Dispatch)

WATER: Another report highlights the risks power plants face from potential water shortages. (Toledo Blade)

NUCLEAR: Michigan’s Palisades nuclear plant has had two more leaks since being shut down for a month earlier this year for repairs. (MLive.com)

COMMENTARY: Why news agency Reuters is turning its back on climate coverage. (The Baron)