MICHIGAN: A bipartisan group of state lawmakers proposes a package of “energy freedom” bills, designed to remove barriers to small renewable energy projects. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: The director of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality says “everything is on the table” as the state figures out how to meet EPA carbon targets. (Second Wave Media)

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FRACKING: Records show a drilling company waited five days before disclosing to state and federal officials what chemicals were involved in a June 28 spill into an Ohio creek. (Columbus Dispatch)

OIL & GAS:
A surge in natural gas benefits Ohio industries. (Columbus CEO)
A deep dive into how the oil boom has impacted North Dakota’s economy and politics. (InsideClimate News)
The company responsible for a Kansas pipeline spill has faced $270,000 in fines for problems elsewhere. (Associated Press)
Minnesota regulators will study proposed changes to an oil sands pipeline route. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

CLIMATE: A poll finds bipartisan support for a carbon tax, provided it is used to fund renewable energy development. (Bloomberg)

CARBON CAPTURE: While pilot projects get off the ground, the future of carbon capture in the U.S. remains unclear. (New York Times)

SOLAR: While Ohio’s renewable energy freeze makes future projects unlikely, a new 2.1 megawatt solar array on a former Toledo brownfield site will be dedicated today; and why the “duck chart” has utilities crying “fowl,” and what can be done about it. (Toledo Blade, CleanTechnica)

POLITICS: A watchdog group wants to know more about Ohio Gov. John Kasich’s relationship with the fossil fuel industry, solar power enters the fray in Iowa’s gubernatorial race, and a Michigan congressional candidate makes climate change a central issue in her campaign. (Toledo Blade, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Climate Progress)

BIOENERGY: A study finds crop residue can play a significant role in energy production, and four farms are selected for biodigesters to provide energy to a Michigan utility. (Des Moines Register, Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: New air-conditioning technology will cut energy use at Sioux City schools. (Sioux City Journal)

GRID: A Wisconsin researcher hopes to build one of the largest microgrids in the U.S. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

MEDIA: An analysis finds Sunday talk shows are devoting more airtime to climate change. (The Hill)

COMMENTARY: Why cutting carbon emissions will lower utility bills, not raise them. (Forbes)

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Ken Paulman

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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