EDITOR’S NOTE: Friday’s digest mistakenly included a 2012 article about a Minnesota PUC decision on Xcel’s solar program. An update to the article by the Minneapolis Star Tribune changed its date to October 31, 2013, making it appear current. We apologize for the error.
NUCLEAR: Four top climate scientists urge environmental groups to support nuclear power in addition to renewable energy, saying renewables alone “cannot scale up fast enough.” (Associated Press)
WIND: With no movement within the Senate so far, it appears likely the wind production tax credit will expire at the end of the year. (Politico)
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GRID: How a FERC rule is expected to improve the market for energy storage. (Midwest Energy News)
FRACKING: A British study says fracking can be done safely as long as drilling operations are closely regulated and monitored, and the Ohio EPA gives drillers a one-month extension to report hazardous materials. (The Guardian, Marietta Times)
OIL: Tesoro is given permission to restart a pipeline that ruptured in North Dakota in September, more landowners are interested in joining lawsuits over natural gas flaring, and the Illinois EPA seeks an investigation of a recent Chicago refinery fire. (Bloomberg, Bismarck Tribune, Reuters)
EPA: The EPA’s “listening tour” seeking input on climate rules will be in Kansas City today. Another session will take place in Chicago on Friday. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, EPA.gov)
COAL: We Energies will seek as much as $82 million from other utilities to keep an Upper Peninsula coal plant operating, and utilities try mixing wood with coal to cut emissions and costs at power plants. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, New York Times)
FRAC SAND: A Wisconsin school upgrades its air filters after finding silica particles suspected to be from nearby frac sand mining operations. (Eau Claire Leader-Telegram)
EFFICIENCY: The Grand Forks airport is recognized for its energy-efficient terminal, and low-cost LED bulbs provide relief for people who dislike the light quality of CFLs. (Grand Forks Herald, New York Times)
SOLAR: Solar rebates will continue in Missouri under an agreement that caps the amount of money utilities can spend on the programs. (Associated Press)
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POLLUTION: Kansas officials continue to wrestle with containing a 2006 gasoline spill that has contaminated groundwater in a Lawrence neighborhood. (Lawrence Journal World)
COMMENTARY: If petcoke piles can be enclosed in California and Indiana, why not Chicago? (Chicago Tribune)