WIND: The production tax credit for wind energy appears likely to expire this year, as tax-writing committees in Congress have yet to take up the issue. (Bloomberg)

EPA: The U.S. Supreme Court today will decide whether to take up a challenge to Massachusetts vs. EPA, the case that required the agency to regulate greenhouse gases. (Greenwire)

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EFFICIENCY: A new report links utility efficiency programs to the Midwest’s manufacturing center, and analysts say lack of data means they’re only scratching the surface. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: Why energy efficiency is tougher in industrial facilities than commercial buildings. (Greentech Media)

BAKKEN: A state regulator says North Dakota oil production will double by 2017; and residents fed up with truck traffic want the state to lower the speed limit to 25 mph on a stretch of highway through their town. (Bismarck Tribune)

FRACKING: Ohio officials warn drilling companies that they will be required to disclose chemicals used in fracking to counties and fire departments. (Columbus Dispatch)

OIL: An Ohio refinery seeks permission for a $300 upgrade to process oil sands crude, Anishinaabe horseback riders protest an Enbridge pipeline in Wisconsin, and federal regulators consider granting a permit to drill in Kansas wetlands. (Toledo Blade, Duluth News Tribune, Topeka Capital Journal)

ELECTRIC CARS: How Chicago’s electric vehicle charging station plan turned into a brawl among competing business interests. (Chicago Tribune)

SOLAR: Xcel Energy faces a deadline today to outline how it will promote community solar installations as required under a new state law. (Associated Press)

ETHANOL: Falling corn prices improve the outlook for ethanol producers. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

NUCLEAR: Inside the small Missouri community college that is one of the nation’s premier nuclear industry training sites. (Kansas City Star)

COMMENTARY: Why a clean-energy transmission line is stirring up opposition from Illinois farmers. (Champaign/Urbana News Gazette)

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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