CLIMATE: The White House warns of increasing economic costs from inaction on climate change. (Politico)
ALSO: An estimated 1,600 people are scheduled to speak at hearings on EPA carbon rules, Sen. James Inhofe blocks a resolution acknowledging the risks of climate change, and Murray Energy lays out its legal arguments against the EPA. (Politico, The Hill, SNL)
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UTILITIES: Xcel Energy’s CEO explains how the utility has significantly reduced carbon emissions through a “conservative” management strategy. (EnergyWire)
GRID: Exelon says it will buy 21 megawatts of fuel-cell capacity to install at 75 sites. (Bloomberg)
COAL: A Wisconsin co-op says rail backlogs may force it to shut down one of its coal plants, and Illinois coal exports are down slightly in 2013. (La Crosse Tribune, Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)
OIL AND GAS: A drilling company finds natural gas in southeast North Dakota, and a hotel developer is ready to move on from Ohio’s Utica Shale. (Bismarck Tribune, Columbus Business First)
ETHANOL: Chicago want to require city gas stations to sell E15. (CBS Chicago)
EFFICIENCY: Wisconsin schools increase their energy efficiency investments under a state law giving them greater financial flexibility. (Appleton Post-Crescent)
PIPELINES: Erosion has exposed three Enbridge oil pipelines at a river crossing in Minnesota. (Minnesota Public Radio)
TRANSMISSION: One worker is killed and another injured in a construction accident on a Minnesota transmission line. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
TECHNOLOGY: The University of Michigan wins the Solar Car Challenge for the fifth year in a row. (MLive)
SOLAR: Ohio State University begins construction on a new solar array. (Columbus Business First)
COMMENTARY: Clean energy creates economic opportunities in Ohio and Illinois. (Toledo Blade, Crain’s Chicago Business)