CLIMATE: As talks continue in Doha, the U.S. resists calls for more aggressive emission reduction targets; and scientists try to resolve the elusive question of how clouds will impact future warming. (Reuters, Greenwire)

ALSO: Environmental activists say the new makeup of Congress is likely to be more favorable to climate and clean energy issues, and Minnesota officials finalize rules requiring the state’s largest polluters to disclose their emissions. (InsideClimate News, Minnesota Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: Early Bird registration extended until December 7 for  2013 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference, January 16-18, 2013 in Chicago. Use code MWEN25off to receive an additional $25 off early bird rates.***

BIOFUELS: Why the Midwest is prime territory for aviation biofuels, and a Chicago company hopes sunflowers can help clean up contaminants in vacant city lots and be a source of biodiesel. (Midwest Energy News, Medill Reports)

FRACKING: Ohio rig counts show a high level of oil exploration, but analysts say that may just be a semantic detail to calm investors; water may be a limiting factor in Ohio’s gas boom; and a Colorado town that banned the drilling technique faces a flurry of lawsuits. (EnergyWire, Columbus Dispatch, New York Times)

EFFICIENCY: A proposed bill in Michigan would weaken the state’s requirement to regularly update building codes, and an Ohio lawmaker says “there have been conversations ongoing” about FirstEnergy’s effort to freeze the state’s efficiency mandate. (MLive.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer)

COAL: As Ohio coal plants shut down, utilities are consuming significantly less water. (Columbus Dispatch)

TRANSPORTATION: GM debuts its all-electric Chevy Spark, which will be priced at under $25,000 after tax credits. (Associated Press)

SOLAR: A Detroit suburb installs its first solar-powered streetlight. (Model D Media)

COMMENTARY: How the wind tax credit creates jobs in Ohio, and the Toledo Blade calls for broader disclosure of chemicals used in fracking. (Columbus Dispatch, Toledo Blade)

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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