CLIMATE: President Obama has been telling attendees at fundraisers that he plans to unveil a climate plan next month. (Bloomberg)

ALSO: The White House so far leaves a key climate policy tool on the table, the president says environmental activists are too focused on Keystone XL, ExxonMobil’s CEO calls climate change “a risk management problem,” and Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz explains climate science to a GOP congressman: “I know how to count.” (Reuters, Bloomberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer, ClimateProgress)

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NUCLEAR: As aging nuclear plants shut down, Xcel Energy plans to spend $1.8 billion to keep two Minnesota reactors running; and contrary to the company’s official news release blaming wind, an Exelon executive says cheap natural gas is to blame for derailing the company’s nuclear upgrades. (New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Forbes)

FRACKING: Illinois’ fracking bill creates a rift among environmental groups. (InsideClimate News)

COAL: The coal industry pins its hopes on exports, and new water pollution rules are expected to have a significant impact along the Ohio River. (New York Times, Columbus Dispatch)

OIL: Amid a major pipeline expansion, Enbridge adds more employees to its offices in downtown Duluth; and pipelines vs. rail is a more complicated question than it appears. (Duluth News Tribune, EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION: A French all-electric car sharing service will make its U.S. debut in Indianapolis. (WRTV)

WIND: After a series of mechanical failures, the first wind turbine to be owned by a public utility is up and running again. (Traverse City Record-Eagle)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: Wisconsin’s DNR works to meet increasing demand for electricity at state park campgrounds. (Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism)

COMMENTARY: How a recent court ruling could pose a threat to state renewable standards, and why the shale boom could end sooner than you think. (Christian Science Monitor, Forbes)

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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