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)
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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)