TRANSMISSION: Wisconsin regulators approve a controversial transmission project that will expand the state’s access to wind energy. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
SOLAR: How a Minnesota construction firm became one of the nation’s largest builders of solar installations. (Midwest Energy News)
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UTILITIES: Minnesota regulators approve a rate increase for Xcel Energy, but reject a request by the utility to allow higher fixed charges, which opponents say would discourage efficiency. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
COAL: A Missouri town is the latest to launch a legal challenge over a deal with the Prairie State Energy Campus in Illinois. (SNL)
ILLINOIS: State lawmakers advance a bill that would establish a low-carbon portfolio standard. (Associated Press)
OIL TRAINS:
• Minnesota officials advise people living near tracks to have evacuation plans. (Forum News Service)
• Minnesota lawmakers block an effort to speed up debate on a rail safety bill. (Forum News Service)
• Local officials raise concerns about a plan to route oil trains through downtown Minneapolis. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
FRACKING: More wastewater injection wells in Oklahoma are coming under scrutiny amid earthquake concerns. (EnergyWire)
FRAC SAND: Layoffs at a Wisconsin sand hauler could be an indication of impending setbacks for the state’s sand mining industry. (Madison Capital Times)
POLLUTION: Researchers find pollution from car exhaust and power plants can impact brain development in young children, impacting behavior. (Los Angeles Times)
NUCLEAR: An Illinois nuclear plant is back online after a planned refueling outage. (Quad-City Times)
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CARBON CAPTURE: Industry groups challenge an EPA designation that classifies injected CO2 as “solid waste.” (Greenwire)
COMMENTARY: “Global warming” or “climate change”? It doesn’t matter. (Grist)