CLIMATE: Climate talks in Doha continue, focusing on subsidies for fossil fuels; and Senate Democrats push for an amendment to a defense bill that would require an assessment of the national security implications of climate change. (Associated Press, The Hill)

COAL: A coalition of environmental, ratepayer and religious groups object to an Indiana utility’s request for a rate increase to pay for coal plant upgrades, saying the money should be spent on renewable energy instead; and a Reuters investigation finds U.S. taxpayers are getting shorted on coal exports to Asia. (Midwest Energy News, Reuters)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Wind on the Wires’ “Energized for the Future” Gala, December 12 in Chicago, featuring former President Bill Clinton.***

MORE COAL: Opponents of an Indiana coal-to-gas plant call on a utility to take a stand against the project; and Canadian Pacific Railway abandons plans to expand service into the Powder River Basin, and will focus on North Dakota’s Oil Patch instead. (Indianapolis Star, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

FRACKING: Studies link air pollution and earthquakes to drilling activity, and a Minnesota frac sand mine is denied permission to operate during a county moratorium. (InsideClimate News, EnergyWire, Winona Daily News)

POLITICS: Clean-energy advocates in Missouri prepare for attacks by conservative groups on the state’s renewable standard. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

WIND: Backers of the wind tax credit struggle to be heard over the “fiscal cliff” discussions, and GE says its fabric-based blade technology could significantly drive down turbine costs. (E&E Daily, ClimateWire)

AGGREGATION: The Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn approves a new contract for 100 percent renewable power at a cost 40 percent less than what the city was paying to ComEd. (Chicago Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Early Bird registration extended until December 7 for  2013 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, January 16-18, 2013 in Chicago. Use code MWEN25off to receive an additional $25 off early bird rates.***

BIOFUELS: Minnesota officials say they’re not yet ready to implement a law requiring a 10 percent biodiesel blend. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

SOLAR: A former landfill in Ypsilanti, Michigan may soon be home to a $4 million solar array. (AnnArbor.com)

COMMENTARY: Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm tells electric car naysayers to “get over it,” and will President Obama follow the lead of public opinion on climate change? (Huffington Post, Mother Jones)

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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