WIND: Despite an increase in construction activity, the wind industry is again facing uncertainty in Congress. (Greenwire)

UTILITIES: A Q&A with former regulator Ron Lehr, who says his home state of Colorado “has shown that renewables can beat the hell out of fossil fuels on price and why we need to move away from using them.” (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Midwest Energy Policy Conference 2014 — Get the early-bird discount now for the Midwest Energy Policy Conference on Sep. 30-Oct. 1 in St. Louis!***

FRACKING: A new study finds fracking is taking place at shallower depths — and closer to groundwater — than previously thought. (Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS: Utica Shale production has increased tenfold since 2012, and a $1.75 billion pipeline is planned to connect Ohio natural gas operations to the Gulf Coast. (Columbus Business First, Columbus Dispatch)

COAL: Peabody Energy’s CEO says he’s not worried about pollution rules because coal “always wins out.” (Financial Review)

OIL: Crews contain a 270-barrel oil spill in North Dakota. (Associated Press)

MEDIA: Journalists and watchdog groups say the EPA is preventing its scientists from speaking freely to the press. (Greenwire)

BIOFUEL: The EPA approves a Wisconsin-produced “drop-in” biofuel as a gasoline substitute. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

SOLAR: Construction begins on a new solar manufacturing facility in Michigan. (MLive)

HYDRO: A groundbreaking ceremony will be held today for a new 50 MW hydroelectric project in Iowa. (Radio Iowa)

***SPONSORED LINK: Sign up now for the Solar Powering Michigan conference, Sept. 12 in Traverse City. Space is limited, so register today! Pre- & post-conference trainings available. Presented by MREA, GLREA and Northwestern Michigan College.***

TRANSPORTATION: A Wisconsin woman is attracting attention with a solar-electric hybrid bike that gets the equivalent of 1,800 miles per gallon. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

COMMENTARY: Ohio takes a big risk with its energy freeze, and does clean energy make economic sense for Minnesota? (Cleveland Plain Dealer, MinnPost)

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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