OIL: Production in North Dakota tops 1 million barrels per day, but state officials expect production to plateau in 2017. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
ALSO: An analysis finds oil-train crashes have increased dramatically in the past five years. (Politico)
***SPONSORED LINK: Midwest Energy Policy Conference 2014 — Get the early-bird discount now for the Midwest Energy Policy Conference on Sep. 30-Oct. 1 in St. Louis!***
CLIMATE: After months of study, two Minnesota agencies recommend regulators use federal carbon cost estimates in utility planning rather than revise the state’s figure. (EnergyWire)
EPA: In Chicago, Gina McCarthy says EPA carbon rules are designed to help struggling nuclear plants, and describes proposed targets as “very modest.” (Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business)
SOLAR: A report projects more than half of U.S. homebuilders will offer solar panels as an option by 2016. (ClimateWire)
ELECTRIC CARS: A state lawmaker says an Indianapolis utility should not be allowed to raise rates to cover costs of a proposed electric car-sharing program. (Indianapolis Star)
PETCOKE: U.S. petroleum coke exports are soaring amid cheaper natural gas and tougher pollution rules. (Reuters)
KEYSTONE XL: A soon-to-expire permit in South Dakota could open a new front in the Keystone XL pipeline fight, and Canada approves an alternative pipeline to British Columbia. (InsideClimate News, New York Times)
UTILITIES: A new paper compares utilities to the streetcar business, warning that diversification of services is key to survival; and a Wisconsin environmental group says the state’s energy mix has “too many eggs in one basket.” (Forbes, Public News Service)
EFFICIENCY: Minnesota cities share energy data to find new ways to improve efficiency. (Minnesota Public Radio)
ETHANOL: A threat to the Renewable Fuel Standard unites political rivals in Iowa. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COAL ASH: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signs a bill allowing expanded use of coal ash. (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.***
TRANSPORTATION: A new report finds a growing number of walkable areas in American cities, declaring an “end of sprawl” in some places. (ClimateWire)
COMMENTARY: Why ignoring climate change is no longer a viable political strategy for Republicans. (Bloomberg View)