CORRECTION: An item in yesterday’s digest incorrectly stated that a federal judge dismissed a case involving coal industry contributions to state regulators. The judge dismissed a different, but related, case.

SOLAR: In Wisconsin, libertarians form an unlikely alliance with environmentalists to back a new solar proposal. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: A pilot project aims to develop community-owned solar projects in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and rooftop solar panels pose a new challenge for firefighters. (MLive, Reuters)

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COAL: An Eastern Interconnection report projects further decline for the coal industry. (ClimateWire)

RENEWABLES: The EIA says 14 percent of U.S. electricity in the first half of the year was generated by non-hydro renewables. (The Climate Group)

FRACKING: A University of Michigan study says the state is unlikely to experience a major shale boom, and a Michigan couple sues the federal government in an effort to block drilling in a state game area. (Associated Press, MLive)

SMART METERS: An investigation by the Illinois Commerce Commission finds smart meters are not to blame for three fires that occurred during a pilot program, and new meter technology is helping utilities cut the cost of distributing power across the grid. (Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle)

OIL: U.S. oil production reaches the highest level in 24 years. (Houston Chronicle)

WIND: Representatives from wildlife groups and the wind industry meet at the White House to discuss eagle “take” permits. (The Hill)

NATURAL GAS: A small Indiana town is divided over plans for a new power plant. (Indianapolis Star)

OHIO: A boycott campaign targets FirstEnergy, and American Electric Power is named a top job creator in a national survey. (Columbus Business First, Columbus Dispatch)

WISCONSIN: A Wisconsin utility considers expanding a program that offers rate incentives for big businesses, but a consumer group says not so fast. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

TRANSPORTATION: The Indianapolis transit agency has received a $10 million federal grant to help purchase 22 electric buses. (Indianapolis Star)

COMMENTARY: How Michigan is getting it right on fracking. (CleanTechnica)

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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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