TRANSMISSION: How the aging power grid is holding back wind development. (McClatchy)

ALSO: Burying power lines rarely makes economic sense in urban areas, but in rugged and outage-prone northern Wisconsin, it may be worth the expense. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Inspiring Efficiency Awards recognize Midwest leaders who deliver groundbreaking advancements in energy efficiency. Apply or provide a nomination today.***

KEYSTONE XL: Another Enbridge project seeks to beat Keystone XL to the Gulf Coast, the State Department’s internal watchdog investigates whether a contractor hired for an environmental analysis of Keystone XL had a conflict of interest with TransCanada, while a stockpile of pipes for the project has been sitting in North Dakota for more than two years. (InsideClimate News, The Hill, Forum News Service)

OIL: Lightning strikes have caused a series of fires and small oil spills in North Dakota over the past three months. (Associated Press)

FRACKING: Gas leaks from shale wells are rare, another Ohio town considers a fracking ban, and Michigan officials cite a drilling company for a minor brine spill. (Columbus Dispatch, Youngstown Vindicator, Associated Press)

NUCLEAR: Xcel Energy seeks a rate increase in Minnesota to pay for nuclear plant upgrades and other infrastructure. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

NATURAL GAS: A Cedar Falls, Iowa convenience store becomes the latest to offer compressed natural gas, a sign of the fuel’s increasing popularity as a gasoline alternative. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)

SOLAR: Tired of $1,500 electric bills, an Ohio couple install a massive solar array to power their 8,000 square foot home. (Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE: Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm will be in Muskegon today as part of a 27-state bus tour to rally support for climate action. (MLive.com)

COMMENTARY: Who’s going to pay for global warming? (Forbes)

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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