EFFICIENCY: Two economists who favor scaling back Ohio’s energy efficiency standard admit they did not consider all potential benefits in their recent reports criticizing the current law. (Midwest Energy News)
ALSO: An amendment passed by Indiana lawmakers yesterday would eliminate that state’s energy efficiency program. (Indianapolis Star)
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OIL:
• Federal regulators will require North Dakota oil to be tested and labeled to reflect its higher risk of explosion. (Reuters)
• Local leaders in Minot, North Dakota celebrate economic growth from the oil boom. (Minot Daily News)
• North Dakota’s top regulator says reclamation efforts will eventually “erase the footprint of 100 years of oil and gas production.” (Fargo Forum)
• A spill on the Mississippi River highlights the risks of shipping oil by barge. (Bloomberg)
KEYSTONE XL: The Government Accountability Office will investigate the State Department’s environmental review process. (Greenwire)
FRACKING: The Ohio Supreme Court will hear a case today that will test local authority over drilling., and the latest version of a drilling tax bill would give Ohioans an income tax cut of up to 1 percent. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch)
COAL: Residents of a Chicago suburb question city officials on plans to either raise electric rates or sales taxes to cover shortfalls in their contract with the Prairie State Energy Campus. (Chicago Tribune)
COAL ASH: Following accusations of lax oversight, North Carolina may require Duke Energy to move a coal ash landfill that has twice leaked into a nearby river. (Los Angeles Times)
TRANSMISSION: Wisconsin utilities are divided over a bill that would change the way transmission lines are permitted in the state. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
TRANSPORTATION: At an appearance in St. Paul today, President Obama will propose a 4-year, $302 billion infrastructure program. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
ELECTRIC CARS: Consumer Reports names the Tesla Model S its “best overall” car of 2014. (CNET)
NATURAL GAS: An Ohio county will receive a $100,000 state grant to study the feasibility of compressed natural gas vehicles. (Youngstown Vindicator)
CLIMATE: Wisconsin-based Kohl’s and Johnson Controls are among 15 recipients of EPA Climate Leadership Awards; Ecolab, headquartered in St. Paul, was also among the winners. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
SOLAR: A program in Evanston, Illinois helps residents purchase solar hot water heaters. (Daily Northwestern)
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TECHNOLOGY: Why the Argonne National Laboratory may partner with a Chicago manufacturing hub on new battery designs. (Chicago Tribune)
COMMENTARY: How energy incentives can grow Michigan’s economy. (Detroit News)