OIL: A train carrying North Dakota crude oil derailed and exploded in West Virginia yesterday, destroying a home and prompting a state of emergency in two counties. (Reuters)

ALSO: A review finds North Dakota regulators are approving wastewater disposal wells that don’t meet EPA standards, and state lawmakers back off a plan to build a new governor’s residence with oil revenue. (Forum News Service, Associated Press)

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COAL: We Energies says it has proposed a deal that could end “double dipping” payments for an Upper Peninsula coal plant, and industry groups and advocates take sides on a case challenging Minnesota’s restrictions on imported coal power. (Midwest Energy News, Greenwire)

SOLAR: Where Minnesota stands on community solar, St. Louis University plans to install solar panels on six campus buildings, and a new solar manufacturer moves into the former Solyndra facility. (Midwest Energy News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, San Francisco Business Times)

TRANSMISSION: Iowa regulators reject an effort by developers to split up hearings on a proposed transmission line. (Cedar Rapids Gazette)

WISCONSIN: Gov. Scott Walker appoints a former utility executive to an administration post. (Wisconsin State Journal)

FRACKING: Ohio officials are reluctant to provide information in a congressman’s investigation of wastewater disposal. (InsideClimate News)

ETHANOL: Iowa officials push to make ethanol a campaign issue, and researchers from Michigan and Wisconsin study how biofuel crops impact bees and other pollinators. (The Hill, Great Lakes Echo)

EFFICIENCY: LED lighting at a Madison arena is expected to save $35,000 a year, and a University of Kansas study finds EPA car labels aren’t effectively communicating lower ownership costs of electric vehicles. (Channel 3000, news release)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The challenges Apple will face if it tries to break into the electric car market. (Bloomberg)

COMMENTARY: Where state officials and the business community are finding common ground on energy issues. (Midwest Energy News)

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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