MICHIGAN: Plans are proceeding for a new 34 MW biomass plant on a former Air Force base in the Upper Peninsula, the first tangible project to help resolve the region’s energy crisis. (Midwest Energy News)

OHIO: An Ohio regulator says EPA carbon rules will cost the state billions, and the timeline for the Energy Mandates Study Committee is still a “great unknown.” (Columbus Business First)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join the Energy Center of Wisconsin for a free webinar, Climate Impact and Building Resilience Strategies, on Nov. 12. Learn how extreme weather events impact the built environment and building energy performance.***

EPA: Legal experts examine ways a Republican Congress could undermine the Clean Power Plan. (ClimateWire)

FRAC SAND: A new report finds more than half of Wisconsin frac sand mining operations have broken state laws, manipulated local governments or engaged in “influence peddling and conflicts of interest.” (La Crosse Tribune)

WISCONSIN: Gundersen Health System is expected to announce it has reached its energy independence goal today (more background information here); and Wisconsin regulators extend renewable energy rebates. (La Crosse Tribune, Midwest Energy News, Wisconsin Ag Connection)

EFFICIENCY: Why an Ohio lighting plant is hiring more workers. (Columbus Dispatch)

COAL: Upgrades at a Michigan power plant have dramatically cut emissions. (Lansing State Journal)

TRANSMISSION: American Transmission Company plans to spend $3.9 billion on projects in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula over the next ten years. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

SOLAR: An Illinois town completes a 312 kW solar installation at its water treatment plant, and an Iowa school district expects its solar panels will save $100,000 a year on energy costs. (Rochelle News-Leader, Associated Press)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Officials in Ann Arbor approve tax breaks for an electric scooter manufacturer. (MLive)

ALSO: BMW says it will likely phase out combustion engines in 10 years, while the chairman of Mercedes says there’s currently no profit in electric cars. (Electric Vehicle News, Gas 2.0) 

COMMENTARY: Why “pipeline fatigue” is bad for North Dakota’s oil industry. (Bismarck Tribune)

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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