EPA: Xcel Energy, one of the utilities that fought the EPA’s cross-state pollution rule, now says “we don’t see it as very significant” after it was reinstated by the Supreme Court. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

OHIO: Groups representing manufacturers and consumers outline proposed fixes to Ohio’s renewable energy and efficiency laws, but said a current bill to “freeze” the laws will merely “tilt the balance” toward utilities. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

***SPONSORED LINK: Learn what solar can do for you today! Join Jigar Shah, John Farrell, Frank Andorka and countless others at the Hilton Minneapolis on May 16th for a packed day of exciting networking, exhibits, training and drinks at the Midwest Solar Expo. Register today and help advance Midwest solar.***

OIL: A Virginia oil-train derailment highlights cities’ concerns about rail safety, Ohio is “right in the bowling alley” for crude-by-rail shipments, and North Dakota continues to have the highest worker fatality rate in the U.S. (Christian Science Monitor, Columbus Dispatch, Associated Press)

BIOMASS: As Michigan considers expanding its renewable energy standard, new research is raising questions about what types of biomass should be included. (Midwest Energy News)

COAL: Coal companies sue to block new regulations aimed at protecting miners from black lung disease, and an Indiana coal mine has been cited 151 times for safety violations over the past two years. (Bloomberg, Indiana Public Media)

EFFICIENCY: A new report says energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reach U.S. carbon goals. (ClimateWire)

FRACKING: No charges will be filed after federal prosecutors complete an investigation of alleged collusion over land leasing in Michigan, and a bill in Congress to change chemical rules could limit states’ ability to regulate fracking. (Bloomberg, Mother Jones)

WIND: Xcel Energy sets a wind energy record, and wildlife issues move to the forefront of another Minnesota wind farm dispute. (Rochester Post-Bulletin, Minnesota Watchdog)

GRID: ATC plans $300 million in grid upgrades for northern Wisconsin, and Wisconsin regulators say the application for the Badger-Coulee transmission line is complete and ready for review. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin State Journal)

PROPANE: Minnesota Sen. Al Franken proposes a federal propane reserve to protect against future shortages. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today ($15/individual) for the 15th Anniversary Conference of Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light “Climate Stewardship: Sustainability, Eco-Justice and Well-Being” on May 18 in Milwaukee. Keynote, workshops, exhibits and more. Be a sponsor, $100-$1,000.***

SOLAR: NRG’s David Crane says he expects many households to go off the grid in the next two years. (Houston Business Journal)

COMMENTARY: State lawmakers try to hold back clean energy in Missouri. (NRDC Switchboard)

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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