UTILITIES: On the heels of successful rate cases in Wisconsin, two utilities in Missouri are also seeking to increased fixed charges for ratepayers. (Midwest Energy News)

FRAC SAND: Why Minnesota continues to take its time on frac sand regulation. (InsideClimate News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***

WIND: Officials in a Michigan county that leads the state in wind energy consider a moratorium on new turbines. (Michigan Capitol Confidential)

PIPELINES: Opponents and supporters square off in a Minnesota pipeline hearing, and South Dakota tribes plan protests against Keystone XL today as state regulators take up a permitting issue. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, Indian Country Today, Sioux Falls Argus Leader)

FRACKING: An Ohio study links fracking and earthquakes, as Oklahoma had more quakes than any state in the lower 48 in 2014. (Pittsburgh Tribune Review, EnergyWire)

OIL: Production continues to slow in North Dakota as lawmakers expect a contentious fight over how to distribute oil tax revenue. (Bismarck Tribune, Reuters)

COAL: 2014 saw 14 fatalities in U.S. coal mines, a record low. (Associated Press)

NUCLEAR: Exelon needs to nearly double prices to keep a New York reactor online, another sign of economic challenges for the industry. (Bloomberg)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join NAACP’s Jacqueline Patterson, ELPC’s Brad Klein, and Wisconsin businesses, policymakers, advocates, and utilities at the RENEW Wisconsin Energy Summit on Friday, January 9 in Madison.***

EFFICIENCY: The Department of Energy seeks a uniform standard for zero-energy buildings. (The Hill)

COMMENTARY: Why low oil prices won’t necessarily hurt demand for clean energy; and efficiency needs success stories, not catch phrases. (Forbes, Greentech Media)

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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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