EPA: The EPA will announce carbon restrictions on new power plants today, which will essentially prohibit new coal plants without carbon-capture technology. (New York Times)
WIND: With arguably Minnesota’s most contentious wind farm fight in the history books, what lessons does it hold for future projects? (Midwest Energy News)
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TECHNOLOGY: The Energy Department plans to revive its loan guarantee program, this time with $8 billion devoted to helping clean up fossil fuel projects. (New York Times)
FRACKING: A government watchdog group says $1.8 million oil and gas industry contributions to Ohio elected officials show a need for tougher disclosure rules, the Ohio Supreme Court will hear a case challenging a law giving the state DNR sole authority over drilling permits, and an oil industry economist tells a Michigan audience that attacks on fracking could harm the U.S. economic recovery. (Columbus Dispatch, Youngstown Vindicator, MLive)
FRAC SAND: Minnesota withdraws its proposed frac sand standards and will revise with more industry and public input, and officials in an Iowa city are asked to pass a resolution opposing increased mining. (Minnesota Public Radio, Decorah Newspapers)
NATURAL GAS: Two Ohio lawmakers are preparing a bill to offer tax credits for converting vehicles to run on natural gas. (Associated Press)
TRANSMISSION: An Illinois public hearing on the Rock Island Clean Line draws a standing-room-only crowd, and a Nebraska utility proposes a new transmission line to ease congestion and open up development of wind power. (LaSalle News Tribune, McCook Daily Gazette)
POLITICS: A key Democrat says he won’t support FERC nominee Ron Binz, and a once-promising federal efficiency bill will be sidelined after getting caught up in other political fights. (The Hill)
BIOFUELS: Poet plans to open its first cellulosic biofuel plant, in Iowa, early next year. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)
CLIMATE: A review of data finds most companies are disregarding an SEC requirement to disclose climate-change risks to investors. (InsideClimate News)
COAL: A judge sides with Ohio officials in a dispute with the Army Corps of Engineers over whether the state could lease coal rights in the watershed of a state park reservoir. (Associated Press)
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IOWA: Iowa rural co-ops warn of a “tremendous negative impact” after being turned down for $20 million in federal aid to repair damage from an April storm. (Des Moines Register)
COMMENTARY: EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy explains why “the argument that we must choose between economic growth and environmental protection is a false one.” (Huffington Post)