TRANSMISSION: As European countries aggressively ramp up renewable energy, they face a constraint that is familiar in the Midwest: The need to expand and overhaul the electric grid. (Midwest Energy News)

FRACKING: The drilling industry is caught off guard by a little-known requirement to notify the EPA each time it fracks a new well. (EnergyWire)

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NATURAL GAS: Ohio considers a revolving loan fund to encourage natural gas-powered vehicles, and a Canadian railway experiments with natural gas as an alternative to diesel. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Houston Chronicle)

SOLAR: The Treasury Department’s inspector general is investigating a popular federal grant program for solar panels. (Reuters)

MICHIGAN: Former Republican Gov. William Milliken supports Proposal 3, saying the expanded renewable energy mandate “should have the long-term certainty of Constitutional protection”; and a diverse group of faith leaders also join the campaign for the ballot measure. (MLive.com, Daily Climate)

FRAC SAND: Eau Claire, Wisconsin rejects a plan for a frac sand transfer facility in the city. (WQOW)

TRANSPORTATION: Amtrak reports its highest ridership since the railroad was formed in 1971. (Associated Press)

WIND: Bloomberg becomes the first news organization to be WindMade certified, getting as much as 58% of its electricity from wind; and Illinois schools take part in a wind power education program. (TreeHugger, Associated Press)

COMMENTARY: Why the “get rid of all energy subsidies” argument is a political distraction. (Climate Progress)

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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