TRANSMISSION: In response to complaints that a planned transmission line will move electricity out of the state, Iowa Republicans propose changes to the state’s eminent domain law. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

EFFICIENCY: A Michigan study challenges the conventional wisdom that driving is more energy-efficient than flying. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for the Midwest’s largest energy efficiency event, the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, taking place January 14-16 in Chicago. Use Code MWEN25off for $25 off just for Midwest Energy News readers.***

COAL: A water crisis affecting thousands of people in West Virginia may be drawing to a close as testing shows contamination from a recent chemical spill is within acceptable levels. (Associated Press)

ALSO: Lignite production increased last year in North Dakota, but is still below long-term averages. (Associated Press)

WISCONSIN: A conference examines Wisconsin’s slow approach to renewable energy development. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

FRACKING: Oil and gas drilling are providing much-needed revenue for some rural counties, and officials in Kansas investigate whether wastewater injection wells are to blame for recent earthquakes. (Associated Press, Kansas City Star)

FRAC SAND: Wisconsin regulators approve a frac sand mine’s plan to reroute a stream and fill in wetlands. (LaCrosse Tribune)

ETHANOL: Lawmakers say it’s unlikely the renewable fuel standard will face repeal this year, and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will host a public hearing this month in Des Moines on the biofuel mandate. (Sioux Falls Argus Leader, Des Moines Register)

NUCLEAR: Ice knocks Nebraska’s Fort Calhoun nuclear plant offline again, just two weeks after the plant restarted following a a nearly three-year outage. (Omaha World-Herald)

BIOENERGY: A $6 million anaerobic digester is planned in the middle of a Michigan town. (MLive)

HYDROPOWER: FERC is seeking projects to test a new streamlined approval process for hydropower. (FierceEnergy)

COMMENTARY: How different standards for pipelines and transmission lines put renewable energy at a disadvantage. (Grist)

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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