PETCOKE: Advocates say Chicago officials are “being played” by a Koch subsidiary after it offers vague plans for an enclosed petcoke facility on an extended timeline. (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR: Rural co-ops’ net metering policies vary widely and often do little to encourage adoption of more solar power, and the U.S. imposes tariffs on Chinese panels. (Midwest Energy News, New York Times)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***

OHIO: At a Cleveland panel discussion on Ohio’s energy future, a solar installer calls a recent “freeze” of the state’s energy laws “an effort to throw sand in the gears of time.” (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

TRANSPORTATION: Local officials and the public have little information about the safety of tracks carrying crude oil and other volatile materials. (La Crosse Tribune)

EPA: If coal companies win a challenge to EPA mercury rules, it could undermine their case against the Clean Power Plan. (Greenwire)

ALSO: Michigan officials say carbon regulations would put the state at an economic disadvantage. (Battle Creek Enquirer)

OIL: North Dakota could lose billions in tax revenue if oil prices remain low, developers withdraw a plan for a Bakken pipeline after failing to secure enough shipping deals, and South Dakota officials say they’re unprepared for an oil disaster. (Grand Forks Herald, Houston Chronicle, Rapid City Journal)

FRAC SAND: Wisconsin officials are allowing more frac sand mines to proceed despite acknowledging that now-withdrawn environmental protection rules were inadequate. (Wisconsin State Journal)

NATURAL GAS: About 25 Ohio families have been evacuated from their homes for three days because of an out-of-control leak at a natural gas well. (Columbus Dispatch)

COAL: American Electric Power today will argue the legality of its proposal to require Ohio ratepayers to guarantee income for its power plants. (Columbus Business First)

EFFICIENCY: Indiana lawmakers work on proposals to replace a state efficiency plan repealed earlier this year, and a Michigan utility offers efficiency upgrades for nonprofits. (Indiana Public Media, MLive)

WIND: A 111 MW wind farm is completed in Michigan, a Kansas utility moves forward with wind plans despite questions about the future of the state’s renewable energy standard, and local officials are expected to make a decision on an Illinois wind farm early next year. (MLive, Associated Press, Bloomington Pantagraph)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, ELPC’s Brad Klein, and Wisconsin businesses, policymakers, advocates, and utilities at the RENEW Wisconsin Energy Summit on Friday, January 9 in Madison. Early bird registration ends Dec. 20! ***

COAL ASH: A look ahead at the EPA’s decision on coal ash regulation, which is expected Friday. (Forbes)

COMMENTARY: What journalists are getting wrong about that electric vehicle study. (Green Car Reports)

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.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.