OHIO: A bill to weaken Ohio’s energy law could see a committee vote today, and a consumer group estimates the proposed changes would cost each household more than $500 over the next three years. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

SOLAR: Two new Energy Department reports find “soft costs” — permitting, taxes, etc. — now account for more than half of the price of solar power in the U.S. (ClimateWire)

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CLIMATE: A new report warns abrupt climate disruptions may be coming sooner than we think; and an Energy Department official defends proposed carbon capture requirements, noting the technology “has been and continues to be deployed in a range of projects.” (Politico, The Hill)

COAL: Minnesota regulators will hear public comments tomorrow on the future of the state’s largest coal plant, and the new owners of the closed State Line coal plant near Chicago say they plan to convert the site into a residential community and marina.. (St. Cloud Times, Times of Northwest Indiana)

OIL: “The explosions and everything, I didn’t think crude oil did that.” The Toronto Globe and Mail explores the role of North Dakota crude in this summer’s deadly derailment and explosion in Quebec.

ALSO: “Everything is kind of in neutral” in Kansas as oil companies pull up stakes, and Enbridge will pay for damaging a power line during pipeline construction in Michigan. (Associated Press, Port Huron Times Herald)

FRACKING: A Michigan environmental official tells lawmakers “more accountability, more transparency” is needed in state rules governing oil and gas drilling. (Detroit Free Press)

WIND: Construction begins on a new wind farm in South Dakota. (Forum News Service)

NATURAL GAS: Officials in Lawrence, Kansas consider running large city vehicles on compressed natural gas. (Lawrence Journal-World)

TRANSPORTATION: In his new book, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker rewrites the history of his administration’s rejection of high-speed rail funding. (Express Milwaukee)

COMMENTARY: The Campbell Soup Company explains why it opposes efforts to roll back Ohio’s renewable energy law.

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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