GRID: At the ARPA-E Energy Summit, one executive warns of “shockingly stupid” planning in the energy sector, as others discuss the role of microgrids in the future. (Greentech Media, GreenBiz)

HYDRO: Manitoba Hydro says it will announce a major energy deal with a U.S. utility today that will justify construction of a new 1,485 MW dam. (Winnipeg Free Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: The 2014 Clean Energy Challenge business plan competition on April 3rd awards over $500,000 in prizes to innovative Midwest clean tech startups! Hear keynote speakers David Crane and Tom Steyer. Use code “EARLY_BIRD” & register today! ***

OIL: Safety officials warn Minnesota lawmakers that local emergency responders are unprepared for oil train disasters; and BNSF says weather, not oil trains, is to blame for commuter rail delays in the Twin Cities. (St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minneapolis Star Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Rob Portman reintroduce their energy efficiency bill that stalled last year. (The Hill)

CLIMATE: Experts warn that the social cost of carbon emissions is still drastically underestimated, as advocates press the White House not to abandon the concept altogether. (Thomson Reuters Foundation, InsideClimate News)

COAL: Peabody Energy launches a campaign promoting coal as a solution to energy poverty. (SNL)

NATURAL GAS: NRG Energy creates its own pipeline company as it works to convert an Ohio coal plant to natural gas. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

SOLAR: Officials in Fort Wayne, Indiana consider a solar farm at the city’s airport. (Fort Wayne News-Sentinel)

POLLUTION: Particulate levels in three Wisconsin counties are now within EPA standards. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MEDIA: Climate change coverage has declined by half at Reuters since a self-described skeptic took over as editor, and a small Illinois paper refuses to publish ads or letters criticizing fracking. (Media Matters, Huffington Post)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend “Solar PV Systems and the NEC Code” with John Wiles April 7 in Palatine, Illinois. Inspector & Installer continuing education credits available. FREE for ISEA members! Join and receive all the member benefits at illinoissolar.org.***

PETCOKE: A new 15-minute documentary from VICE News explores the controversy over petcoke storage in Chicago.

COMMENTARY: Why we need to raise the gasoline tax to pay for President Obama’s transportation plan, and why North Dakota needs a “plan B” for coal. (Grist, Fargo Forum)

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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