FRACKING: A new study finds methane emissions from natural gas drilling are not as bad as previously feared, provided the operations are “being carefully watched.” (Associated Press)

ALSO: An Ohio town bans both fracking and the disposal of wastewater within its city limits, critics say the ordinance is unlikely to withstand legal challenges, and the Ohio Sierra Club sues the state for records related to illegal wastewater dumping. (Toledo Blade, Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: On September 24, join Shayle Kann, vice president of research for Greentech Media, and a panel of experts at the Science Museum of Minnesota for Power Breakfast: Solar means business in Minnesota. Buy your tickets today! ***

BAKKEN: North Dakota officials say new regulations may be needed to curb natural gas flaring, because “it doesn’t look like the market gets us far enough, fast enough.” (EnergyWire)

FERC: Ron Binz, President Obama’s nominee to lead the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, faces a contentious Senate confirmation hearing this morning, and friends and colleagues say he’s up for the fight. (Greenwire)

MICHIGAN: The first of several reports on Gov. Rick Snyder’s renewable energy forums is expected this week, and a new report says the state is well-positioned to meet or even exceed future federal carbon standards. (MLUI, EcoSeed)

FRAC SAND: A Texas company wants to bypass a Wisconsin county’s moratorium on frac sand mining by having its property annexed by neighboring towns, and Minnesotans seek a comprehensive review of sand mining impacts. (Wisconsin Public Radio, Public News Service)

WIND: A federal report finds wind power is cutting the need for baseload generation. (EarthTechling)

OHIO: A clean air group launches a boycott campaign against FirstEnergy. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

GRID: American Electric Power seeks permission from Ohio regulators to install 900,000 smart meters in the state. (Columbus Dispatch)

ELECTRIC CARS: General Motors unveils a 50,000-square-foot expansion of its battery laboratory in Warren, Michigan. (Detroit Free Press)

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COMMENTARY: The era of unlimited carbon pollution is over. (Politico)

CORRECTIONS: An item in yesterday’s digest misidentified the service territory of the St. Croix Electric Cooperative. It is in Wisconsin, not Minnesota. Also, a link to a Q&A on electric cars was omitted from Friday’s digest.