EFFICIENCY: A study finds that four decades of conservation measures mean the U.S. is getting more than twice as much productivity out of each unit of energy it consumes. (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO: LED lighting catches on at sports arenas, but also poses some challenges. (New York Times)
OHIO: In a legislative hearing, an industry group says efforts to weaken Ohio’s energy laws would “pull the rug out” from under the state’s growing clean energy economy. (Toledo Blade)
CARBON CAPTURE: A study finds that worldwide, the number of large-scale carbon capture projects has declined. (New York Times)
COAL: Republicans say EPA hearings on climate rules should be held in coal-dependent states, and residents of an Illinois town object to proposed road closures as a strip mine expands. (The Hill, Harrisburg Daily Journal)
OIL SANDS: A study finds Alberta’s carbon strategy will only offset a fraction of the emissions produced by oil sands production. (InsideClimate News)
FRAC SAND: Officials in a Wisconsin town are targeted by a recall campaign amid controversy over a proposed frac sand mine. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
ELECTRIC CARS: Michigan-based battery producer A123 Systems says it’s shifting its focus to hybrids rather than fully electric cars. (Wall Street Journal)
WIND: North Dakota regulators approve a wind farm, deferring to county setback rules of a half-mile rather than the more common 1,400 feet. (Bismarck Tribune)
BIOFUELS: Iowa Rep. Steve King says repeal of the Renewable Fuel Standard would “lock ethanol out of the market,” as the EPA considers lowering targets for both corn ethanol and advanced biofuels. (Des Moines Register, Greenwire)
MEDIA: The Los Angeles Times explains why it doesn’t print letters containing misinformation about climate science.
COMMENTARY: Why hybrid nuclear-natural gas plants are attracting attention, but not much capital. (Forbes)