STATE OF THE UNION: President Obama says “no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change,” the president’s full remarks on energy and climate can be found here. (Grist, InsideClimate News)
OHIO: Consumer groups say an Ohio utility’s plan to cut off service remotely for unpaid bills violates state law. (Midwest Energy News)
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KEYSTONE XL: TransCanada begins using eminent domain to acquire land in Nebraska, while some Democrats say a political fight over the pipeline in Congress will distract from other energy issues. (Associated Press, Politico)
MEANWHILE: An efficiency amendment to a Keystone XL bill provides a rare moment of bipartisan energy policy. (New York Times)
OIL AND GAS:
• Crude oil from a pipeline spill is found in a Montana town’s water supply. (New York Times)
• Kansas officials acknowledge disposal of fracking wastewater contributed to recent earthquakes. (Lawrence Journal-World)
• A Kansas oil company with a history of violations reaches an agreement with the state to continue operating. (Topeka Capital-Journal)
• Low oil prices lead to a slight increase in driving in November. (Reuters)
COAL: A Missouri utility will stop burning coal at three power plants, an Ohio utility’s coal consumption is projected to fall this year, and a Kentucky utility board confronts the CEO of the Prairie State Energy Campus. (Kansas City Business Journal, Platts, WKMS)
SOLAR: The U.S. installed 22 times more solar in 2014 than in 2008, and the University of Illinois will begin construction on a 20 acre solar farm this spring. (Greentech Media, Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette)
WIND: Amazon will invest in an Indiana wind farm to help power its data centers, and operators of a Kansas wind farm say a utility is not meeting terms of its purchase agreement. (GigaOm, Springfield News-Leader)
CLIMATE: Two philanthropies will spend $48 million to help states cut emissions. (New York Times)
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GRID: FERC delays Duke Energy’s proposed sale of its Midwest power plants. (Charlotte Business Journal)
COMMENTARY: Why polls don’t give us the full picture on energy politics. (Grist)