OHIO: While a decision last week by Ohio regulators rebuked FirstEnergy for overpaying for renewable energy credits, several points of contention in the dispute remain shrouded in secrecy. (Midwest Energy News)

COAL: The fate of two-thirds of Illinois coal plants could be determined in the next two years, leaving workers and communities uncertain about their futures. (Chicago Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Inspiring Efficiency Awards recognize Midwest leaders who deliver groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency. Apply or provide a nomination today.***

OIL & GAS:
• A pipeline company already facing state fines for spills in Ohio continues to pollute waterways. (Columbus Dispatch)
• Exxon knew a pipeline that ruptured in Arkansas earlier this year was vulnerable. (InsideClimate News)
• Amid the Keystone XL debate, towns in Arkansas and Michigan are still recovering from pipeline spills. (New York Times)
• An eyewitness contradicts TransCanada’s claim that it was the first to discover a leak at a North Dakota pipeline in 2011. (EnergyWire)
• The ongoing oil leak in the Alberta oil sands highlights concerns about “in situ” extraction. (New York Times)
• The oil sands industry suggests algae-based carbon capture technology could lower its climate footprint. (Bloomberg)
• Water demand for drilling in North Dakota is leveling off after years of growth. (Forum News Service)
• Landfill operators in Ohio see big business in oil field waste. (Youngstown Vindicator)

COAL ASH: EPA data shows two Michigan sites are among 18 nationwide where coal ash is polluting water, a utility disputes the report. (MLive)

ALSO: Legislation in Missouri would allow a utility to bypass part of the permitting process for new coal ash sites after a state agency rejected several possible locations. (Springfield News-Leader)

MINNEAPOLIS: The push to form a municipal utility in Minneapolis begins to slow down. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

TRANSMISSION: A White House report, citing billions of dollars in costs from power outages, calls for increased spending on the grid. (Associated Press)

NATURAL GAS: A Wisconsin utility plans to build a new natural gas power plant by 2019. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

ETHANOL: A Minnesota co-op begins work on a new ethanol plant next to the idle Spiritwood coal plant in North Dakota. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: A Michigan town installs new LED lighting and electric car charging stations with help from a nonprofit, and the University of Akron will make $60 million in energy improvements. (CBS Detroit, Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION: An annual auto industry conference in Michigan explores how cars of the future will be powered, among other topics. (MLive)

COMMENTARY: Why state renewable energy standards are hard to repeal. (Washington Post)

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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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