SOLAR: A streamlined permitting process is helping speed up solar development in Chicago. (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO: A Wisconsin conservative is pushing back against Republican resistance to solar power. (ClimateWire)
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NUCLEAR: The Chicago Tribune takes a closer look at Exelon’s political fight to keep its nuclear plants profitable.
GRID: A new report says many retiring nuclear and coal plants may not need to be replaced, FERC says it is “on the job” to ensure reliability amid tougher pollution rules, and will new PJM capacity market rules be a handout to fossil fuels? (Renew Grid, Greenwire, Greentech Media)
CLIMATE: A new study says manmade pollution is to blame for more than two-thirds of recent glacial melt. (Associated Press)
UTILITIES: Top Integrys executives will net more than $34 million in compensation in a proposed buyout by Wisconsin Energy, and FirstEnergy Solutions is cutting jobs in Ohio. (Crain’s Chicago Business, Cleveland Plain Dealer)
COAL: While still a small share of overall U.S. consumption, coastal power plants are finding it cheaper to import coal from overseas than from the Illinois Basin and other U.S. regions. (Wall Street Journal)
TRANSPORTATION: The Department of Energy announces $55 million in funding to improve vehicle efficiency and electric vehicle technology. (The Hill)
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EFFICIENCY: Why Opower is “really excited” about EPA carbon rules. (National Journal)
COMMENTARY: Fracking’s threat to drinking water is getting little EPA scrutiny. (MinnPost)