ELECTION 2014:
• A candidate critical of rapid oil industry expansion wins a tribal election in North Dakota (background story here). (Bismarck Tribune, Energywire)
• Three out of four Ohio towns reject anti-fracking measures. (Midwest Energy News)
• North Dakota voters soundly reject a measure to set aside oil and gas revenue for conservation. (Governing Magazine)
• Tom Steyer’s cash infusion wasn’t enough to swing key Senate races. (National Journal)
• Despite a recent poll showing a close race, Michigan Rep. Fred Upton easily defeats a pro-climate action challenger. (The Hill)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join the Energy Center of Wisconsin for a free webinar, Climate Impact and Building Resilience Strategies, on Nov. 12. Learn how extreme weather events impact the built environment and building energy performance.***

SOLAR: A Washington-based solar manufacturer plans to open a plant in Minneapolis next year. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

ALSO: A new report says there is still no consistent method for calculating solar’s actual value to the grid. (Greentech Media)

OIL AND GAS: As earnings fall, a North Dakota company is getting out of oil production and focusing on refining; and a natural gas pipeline rupture shuts down a highway near Williston for two hours. (Bismarck Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: “It’s no longer if, but when, LEDs will take over” as lighting technology continues to improve(Greentech Media)

TRANSPORTATION: A new report shows some improvement in rail delays but not enough to alleviate farmers’ concerns. (Forum News Service)

TRANSMISSION: American Electric Power says new transmission lines in central Ohio will help improve reliability. (Columbus Business First)

HYDROPOWER: FERC licenses new hydro projects in Ohio and Indiana. (news release)

COMMENTARY: Climate policy was one of the biggest losers of the 2014 election, but there may be a silver lining for climate advocates. (Vox, Discover)

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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