FRACKING: An analysis finds that even in water-rich states like Ohio, large withdrawals for fracking can still place strains on watersheds. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• An analyst says North Dakota’s oil production has peaked. (Reuters)
• Ohio Republicans form a committee to discuss drilling taxes. (Toledo Blade)
• North Dakota researchers say satellite images of the Bakken oil field are misleading. (Minnesota Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Illinois Renewable Energy Conference, July 16 in Normal, Illinois, will feature plenary sessions of interest to all areas of renewable energy, plus specific breakout sessions for wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and energy efficiency.***

CLIMATE:
• Public concern about climate change is beginning to rise again. (New York Times)
• The “97 percent” scientific consensus on climate change is actually closer to 99.9 percent. (MSNBC)

SOLAR:
• A developer plans a community solar garden at the site of a contentious 1970s fight over transmission lines in Minnesota. (Midwest Energy News)
• Despite legislative setbacks, solar developers still “see Ohio as a huge growth opportunity.” (Toledo Blade)
• The “new gold rush for solar” is in Minnesota. (Forbes)

PIPELINES:
• Iowa regulatory staff find more than 90 questions or deficiencies in a proposed pipeline plan. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)
• Officials in a North Dakota county approve a pipeline terminal amid sharp criticism from landowners over the leasing process. (Bismarck Tribune)

COAL: The Midwest grid is using less coal than a year ago, but the reduction is not as sharp as in neighboring regions. (Argus Media)

INDIANA: Manufacturers say the state’s high electricity rates are hurting competitiveness. (Times of Northwest Indiana)

CLEAN ECONOMY:
• A new report ranks Nebraska as the worst state for clean energy investment. (Fast Company)
• Minnesota’s “Energy City” continues to pursue sustainability. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: GM and Nissan are using electric vehicle batteries for energy storage. (New York Times)

***SPONSORED LINK: Energy Storage USA 2015, July 7-8 in San Diego, is the only event in the United States focused exclusively on the commercialization of storage, to help you bring your technology to market and win lucrative projects.***

HYDRO: A 100-year-old dam on the Mississippi River is now providing power for a Wisconsin co-op. (Electric Co-op Today)

COMMENTARY:
• An Indiana “clean coal” plant “has become the rate-busting gift that keeps on giving.” (National Legal and Policy Center)
• Multiple studies show Ohio can cut carbon emissions reliably and affordably. (NRDC Switchboard)

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.