COAL: The House votes to give states the authority to regulate coal ash, bypassing the EPA. (The Hill)
CLIMATE: The White House meets with utility industry officials to discuss carbon rules for power plants, and Democrats plan to promote President Obama’s climate plan over the August congressional recess. (The Hill, Politico)
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EFFICIENCY: An Iowa nonprofit says persistence is the key to get businesses and homeowners to follow through on energy audit recommendations. (Midwest Energy News)
FRACKING: How long will the shale boom last? It depends on whom you ask. (EnergyWire)
OIL: Enbridge seeks eminent domain power in Illinois as landowners fight the proposed Flanagan South pipeline, and Halliburton pleads guilty to destroying evidence related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Bloomington Pantagraph, Reuters)
MINNEAPOLIS: Xcel Energy says it will move its headquarters — and 2,000 employees — out of downtown Minneapolis if the city votes to form a municipal utility. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
NATURAL GAS: Michigan regulators OK a permit for a new natural gas plant that will enable seven aging coal-fired units to be taken offline. (MLive.com)
OHIO: American Electric Power blames weak demand for a drop in profit. (Columbus Dispatch)
WIND: New figures on bird fatalities from wind farms flare an ongoing debate. (EarthTechling)
COMMENTARY: Can renewable energy grow fast enough to make a difference? (Greentech Media)