COAL: Thousands of coal industry workers rally in Washington D.C. to protest EPA rules, as Republicans say the “war on coal” narrative will figure prominently in the 2014 elections. (National Journal, The Hill)

ALSO: A study backed by environmental groups finds an Illinois coal plant is exceeding allowed levels for sulfur dioxide. (Peoria Journal Star)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for the Midwest’s largest energy efficiency event, the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, taking place January 14-16 in Chicago. Use Code MWEN25off for $25 off just for Midwest Energy News readers.***

POLICY: A report finds renewable energy growth in the Midwest is slowing, largely due to unpredictability in federal wind and biofuel policy. (Midwest Energy News)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN: An oil industry group, miffed that a Department of Energy blog’s pumpkin-carving stencils focused on renewable and nuclear power, releases its own set of oil-themed designs. (The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL: A Houston firm’s suggestion to build a bike trail atop the Keystone XL pipeline doesn’t go over well with activists: “This seems like it should be in The Onion or something,” says one. (Bloomberg)

BAKKEN: A recently completed pipeline in North Dakota is expected to reduce natural gas flaring in the state’s oil fields. (Dickinson Press)

OHIO: American Electric Power’s refund for “excessive earnings” in 2010 will amount to roughly 43 cents per ratepayer. (Columbus Dispatch)

SOLAR: In Colorado, tensions rise between Xcel Energy and solar advocates over net metering rates. (Denver Post)

NUCLEAR: A Nebraska nuclear plant that has been shut down since 2011 is being tested for leaks, a sign the facility is on track to reopen soon. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: A search for Wisconsin’s oldest working refrigerator ends in a three-way tie. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

DIVERSITY: An expert says more women are filling leadership positions at energy companies. (Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION: A new report ranks the U.S. cities where the fewest commuters drive cars to work. (Atlantic Cities)

***SPONSORED LINK: Experts discuss the changes in the energy industry at Total Energy USA, Nov. 19-21 in Houston. Speakers such as Roger Sant discuss their outlook on the next 40 years of energy policy. ***

MEDIA: Ohio coal executive Robert Murray is suing the Huffington Post, alleging an article referring to him as an “extremist coal baron” contained false and defamatory statements; and activists in Minnesota launch a petition calling on the state’s largest newspaper to stop publishing letters from climate deniers. (Columbus Business First, ScienceBlogs)

COMMENTARY: Ken Silverstein says our inaction on nuclear waste is based more on politics than science. (EnergyBiz)

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Ken Paulman

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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