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)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***

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)

***SPONSORED LINK: Minnesota’s biggest community-based energy event only happens every two years–don’t miss it! Register now for CERTs 2015 Conference: Community-Driven Clean Energy on March 10-11 in St. Cloud. ***

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)

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.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.