CLIMATE: The U.S.-China climate accord could be a sign that climate change will play a larger role in the 2016 presidential election. (New York Times)

ALSO: Scientists say the deal is a good start but won’t have a major impact on its own, and Sen. James Inhofe has a theory about the agreement. (Associated Press, New Republic)

FRACKING: A citizens’ group in Illinois sues to prevent fracking rules from taking effect. (Chicago Tribune)

TRANSMISSION: The developer of the Clean Line transmission projects says the idea that they would carry coal power is “technically feasible but economically nonsensical.” (EnergyWire)

SOLAR: A report says the solar industry is becoming less transparent about the environmental impacts of its manufacturing processes, an Ohio solar plant is adding 120 workers to meet rising demand, and a new program aims to make solar more affordable in northwest Indiana. (National Geographic, Toledo Blade, Times of Northwest Indiana)

POLITICS: The federal loan program targeted by Republicans because of Solyndra’s bankruptcy is generating a return for taxpayers. (Reuters)

OIL:
• Methods to test the volatility of North Dakota crude oil face further criticism. (Wall Street Journal)
• U.S. shale drillers are in a price war with Saudi Arabia. (Reuters)
• Developers of a proposed pipeline claim it will generate nearly $2 billion in economic impact in Iowa and South Dakota. (Sioux City Journal)
• Congress makes a move on Keystone XL. (Associated Press)
• Environmental advocates in Minnesota challenge a plan to increase pipeline capacity without federal review. (Minnesota Public Radio)

UTILITIES: Wisconsin Energy and Integrys work to settle shareholder lawsuits over their proposed merger. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

NUCLEAR: Federal regulators question FirstEnergy on the safety of an Ohio nuclear plant. (Toledo Blade)

CARS: Tesla opens a Supercharger station in Dayton, and Ford begins production of an aluminum-bodied F150 which is expected to have 20 percent better fuel economy than the current model. (Dayton Business Journal, Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: Sioux Falls gives out energy efficiency kits to homeowners. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)

COMMENTARY: Michael Levi explains the significance of the U.S.-China climate deal. (Council on Foreign Relations)

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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