CLIMATE: An MIT study predicts health benefits will significantly offset — or even exceed — the costs of greenhouse gas reductions, and the GAO rejects Republican concerns about how the social cost of carbon estimate was calculated. (Greenwire, The Hill)
PIPELINES: A recent ruling denying federal review of the nearly-completed Flanagan South project is an example of a trend toward fast-tracking pipelines, and pipeline protesters lock themselves to a truck in Michigan. (Midwest Energy News, Associated Press)
***SPONSORED LINK: Support Solar in Illinois – Purchase a raffle ticket to win a Tesla Model S and Bosch Home Charger from the Illinois Solar Energy Association! Only 2,000 tickets will be sold.***
GRID: The PJM Interconnection warns that a “rapid transition” from coal could raise the risk of blackouts, particularly during harsh winters. (Columbus Business First)
FRACKING: “Gathering lines” for drilling operations pose risks to homeowners with little government oversight, and Michigan’s governor orders a review of state standards for disposal of radioactive drilling waste. (NBC News, Associated Press)
FRAC SAND: Minnesota officials will require an environmental review for a proposed frac sand shipping operation. (Winona Daily News)
POLLUTION: A court rejects a Kansas town’s effort to require BP to do further cleanup work at a refinery site, and Duke Energy now says 9,000 gallons of diesel were released into the Ohio River from a power plant last week. (Topeka Capital-Journal, Cincinnati Business Courier)
TRANSPORTATION: Grain shipments are backlogged as oil traffic dominates Midwest rail lines. (New York Times)
SOLAR: A new Indiana solar farm begins producing power. (Associated Press)
EFFICIENCY: Kalamazoo County, Michigan considers PACE financing. (WMUK)
***SPONSORED LINK: The Illinois Renewable Energy Association will host the 13th annual Illinois Renewable Energy and Sustainable Lifestyle Fair on August 23 and 24 at the Ogle County Fairgrounds, Oregon, Illinois.***
SMART GRID: 3M makes a $5 million investment in a company that makes smart grid technology. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)
COMMENTARY: Which kills more birds, renewable energy or fossil fuels? (Climate Progress)