FRACKING: So far, neither the drilling industry nor opponents are happy with newly released Illinois fracking regulations. (Chicago Tribune)

ALSO: An Ohio well fire exposes weaknesses in the state’s emergency response network, a new natural gas processing plant will be built in Ohio after all, and a study finds workers at fracking sites may be exposed to unsafe levels of benzene. (Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Business First, NPR)

***SPONSORED LINK: Midwest Energy Policy Conference 2014 — Get the early-bird discount now for the Midwest Energy Policy Conference on Sep. 30-Oct. 1 in St. Louis!***

SOLAR: A bipartisan survey finds broad support for solar power as utilities resist its spread, and a U.S. solar company seeks steep tariffs against Chinese imports. (Midwest Energy News, New York Times)

CLIMATE: China plans to roll out its carbon trading market in 2016, and an Iowa lawmaker sees a “groundswell” of support building for climate action. (Reuters, Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS: Controversy over petroleum coke piles in Detroit could influence a Michigan Senate race. (Politico)

PIPELINES: A Michigan task force begins reviewing the safety of the state’s pipeline network, and a pipeline project facing opposition in Iowa is flying under the radar in other states. (Associated Press, Forum News Service)

POLICY: A new IEA report says policy uncertainty is slowing the growth of renewable energy. (Houston Chronicle)

WIND: As wind turbines go up in rural Indiana, “the public doesn’t appear to be complaining about them“; and why wind turbines at VA hospitals — including one in Minnesota — remain idle. (Muncie Star Press, St. Cloud Times)

UTILITIES: Two Wisconsin utilities form a joint venture to potentially buy power plants in the state. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

GRID: Duke Energy plans $1.9 billion worth of grid upgrades in Indiana. (Charlotte Business Journal)

FRAC SAND: How three Iowa counties are working together to limit frac sand mining. (IowaWatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Sign up now for the Solar Powering Michigan conference, Sept. 12 in Traverse City. Space is limited, so register today! Pre- & post-conference trainings available. Presented by MREA, GLREA and Northwestern Michigan College.***

GREEN ECONOMY: An Iowa community college offers hands-on training in solar technology. (Radio Iowa)

COMMENTARY: Wisconsin utilities should take the lead on solar power instead of fighting it. (Racine Journal Times)

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.