KEYSTONE XL: In Nebraska, hundreds of people, mostly opponents testify at the State Department’s final hearing on Keystone XL; and Ohio lawmakers pass a resolution supporting the pipeline as an industry group claims it will add nearly $10 billion to the state’s GDP. (New York Times, Dayton Business Journal)

SOLAR: A proposed 50 MW Ohio solar project, even after a setback from state regulators, is “too good to fail,” and “we are too dumb to quit,” according to David Wilhem, who continues to spearhead the project’s development; and a new study links 119,000 jobs nationwide to the solar industry. (Midwest Energy News, EarthTechling)

POLITICS: The Senate energy committee approves the nomination of Ernest Moniz to lead the Department of Energy, making it highly likely he will be confirmed by the full Senate. (Greenwire)

COAL: Environmental groups sue Ameren, alleging the company is “dragging its feet” in installing pollution upgrades to an Illinois coal plant; meanwhile, Ameren releases a plan to gradually close 16 coal ash ponds across the state. (Associated Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

WIND: A new report predicts a global decline in new wind installations for 2013, with the industry rebounding in 2014; and an Illinois county struggles to develop a wind ordinance. (Reuters, Danville Commercial-News)

TRANSMISSION: A proposed transmission line to move Kansas wind power eastward runs into opposition from landowners, who say they aren’t being fairly compensated. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: A pair of U.S. Senators scale back a proposed efficiency measure, in hopes of “getting something done” in a Congress that remains deeply divided on energy. (The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION: Wisconsin hires a firm to help develop regulations for the expansion of natural gas vehicles in the state. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MEDIA: New York Times blogger Andrew Revkin speaks with the staff of InsideClimate News about their pipeline coverage and their Pulitzer win.

COMMENTARY: Why expanded oil production won’t necessarily mean lower gasoline prices. (Bloomberg)

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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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