KEYSTONE XL: The U.S. Senate votes to force approval of Keystone XL, with a bill that also includes amendments to promote energy efficiency. (New York Times, Climate Progress)
WIND: One amendment that didn’t survive was a proposal to extend the production tax credit; an industry spokesman says wind may be “going off the cliff again” without it. (E&E Daily, Breaking Energy)
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FRACKING: How a Michigan organization is helping local governments take control of fracking. (Midwest Energy News)
OIL: Falling oil revenues create a $4 billion shortfall in North Dakota’s state budget. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
NATURAL GAS: Developers delay submission of an application for a controversial Michigan natural gas pipeline. (MLive)
UTILITIES: A newspaper threatens to sue Omaha’s public utility over secrecy in selecting its new CEO, and Minnesota’s largest utility says it will work with regulators to make rates and revenues more predictable in the future. (Omaha World-Herald, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
NUCLEAR: A report says global nuclear capacity will have to double to meet climate goals, and U.S. regulators say the Yucca waste disposal site, though not ready for construction, will be safe. (Climate Central, The Hill)
SOLAR: The Energy Department announces $59 million to advance new solar technologies and help local communities with deployment. (news release)
CLIMATE: Education standards for kids remain in the crossfire of the political fight over climate change. (InsideClimate News)
POLLUTION: A utility and two railroads settle a lawsuit over decades-old contamination of a Wisconsin waterfront. (Ashland Daily Press)
COMMENTARY: President Obama is contradicting himself on climate. (Grist)