COAL: Minnesota regulators approve the shutdown of another of the state’s coal plants, and Illinois regulators schedule another round of hearings on the FutureGen project. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, Springfield State Journal-Register)

OIL: Enbridge gets final approval to expand its Line 6B pipeline in Michigan, a worker dies from injuries sustained in an oil field accident in North Dakota, and North Dakota’s oil boom is the subject of a feature and photo essay in the New York Times Magazine. (Detroit Free Press, Bismarck Tribune, New York Times)

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EFFICIENCY: A Minneapolis plan to require commercial buildings to disclose energy use would be the first of its kind in the region, and a Michigan county is eager to get started on efficiency recommendations expected to save more than $100,000 per year. (Midwest Energy News, Alpena News)

WATER: A study finds the amount of water used worldwide for energy production is expected to double in the next 25 years. (National Geographic)

MISSOURI: Environmental groups and solar installers sue Ameren, saying the utility has failed to comply with the state’s voter-approved renewable energy mandate. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

NATURAL GAS: Ohio Gov. John Kasich says it is “unbelievable” that some oppose higher taxes on fracking, and a bill in the Senate would allow natural gas exports to U.S. allies. (Columbus Business First, The Hill)

BIOFUELS: Despite a court decision challenging its mandates, the EPA increases the target for cellulosic biofuels to 14 million gallons. (The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION: The Energy Department backs off of President Obama’s goal of having 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015. (Reuters)

CLIMATE: More than 300 state lawmakers sign a letter urging Obama to make climate change a priority. (Minnesota Daily)

SMART GRID: Entrepreneurs start vying for $22.5 million in seed money intended to encourage energy innovation in Illinois. (Chicago Tribune)

NUCLEAR: A gathering in Chicago discusses the obstacles to nuclear power. (Medill Reports)

WIND: Advocates promote wind energy as a job-creator for rural Nebraska. (Scottsbluff Star-Herald)

COMMENTARY: A brief history of oil shipping on the Great Lakes, and can Obama do for the grid what Eisenhower did for highways? (Duluth News Tribune, New York Times)