SOLAR: As Ohio’s energy law freeze takes effect, the state’s solar market has already stalled. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: The White House announces plans to train 50,000 veterans to become solar installers, SolarCity says a new approach to commercial installations could increase output 20 to 50 percent, and Minnesota regulators kick off the state’s solar garden program. (Associated Press, EnergyWire, Renewable+Law)

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COAL: Ohio’s Supreme Court rules that parts of a state wildlife area can be strip-mined for coal. (Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE: At an event in Minneapolis, Chevron’s CEO speaks broadly about energy policy, and says “I understand the risks of climate change.” (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

FRACKING: An Illinois legislative panel says it needs more time to review proposed fracking rules, a study released earlier this week links earthquakes to wastewater injection wells, and advocates say a recent study supports tougher regulation to prevent water contamination. (Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg)

FRAC SAND: An environmental group is circulating a petition calling for Wisconsin officials to study the state’s frac sand industry. (Madison Capital Times)

UTILITIES: Clean-energy advocates gather in Madison to oppose Wisconsin utilities’ proposed rate structure changes. (The Isthmus)

TRANSPORTATION: A study finds electric cars are cheaper to insure than gasoline ones, and high-speed trains once intended for Wisconsin find a home in Michigan. (Los Angeles Times, Madison Capital Times)

TRANSMISSION: Federal officials sign off on a new transmission line to serve load in North Dakota’s oil patch. (Transmission & Distribution World)

OIL: Enbridge conducts an oil spill emergency drill in Michigan. (MLive)

COMMENTARY: Why we shouldn’t place too much hope in technological breakthroughs. (Grist)

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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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