SOLAR: Utility-scale solar power capacity has nearly tripled in under three years, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Energy. (Climate Central)

ALSO:
• A California company is planing a $10 million solar and energy storage project on the Hawaiian island of Maui. (Pacific Business News)
• Experts say complex state regulations are hindering the growth of community solar. (Utility Dive)
• Maine’s net metering fight echoes similar disputes in Arizona and Nevada. (Utility Dive)
• Target produces more solar power at its facilities than any other U.S. company, followed by Walmart, according to a new report. (Fortune)
• The country’s leading independent solar PV developer is raising money to expand a 5.5-gigawatt solar pipeline into Texas. (CleanTechnica)
• The Department of Energy is investing $21.4 million in 17 new solar-related projects. (PV-Tech)

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WIND: A new industry study concludes the value of wind power in Iowa now far exceeds its cost there. (Midwest Energy News)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Electric car-maker Tesla Motors says it will start a ride service similar to Uber. (Reuters)
• New York plans to install 300 new electric vehicle charging stations, with a goal of having 3,000 stations online by 2018. (Utility Dive)

TRANSPORTATION: Construction has begun on a network of hydrogen refueling stations in California, spurred by a $46.6 million investment from the state’s Energy Commission. (Greentech Media)

BIOFUEL: The White House says it has begun reviewing the national ethanol-blending mandate for 2017 and expects to meet its Nov. 30 deadline. (The Hill)

OIL & GAS:
• The EPA finalized nonbinding guidelines to reduce ozone emissions from oil and gas drilling sites, which are expected to cut 200,000 tons of methane pollution. (The Hill)
• A Texas-based oilfield equipment maker eliminates 1,000 jobs and says more cuts are on the way. (FuelFix)
• The federal government will review the management of a UNESCO World Heritage site in New Mexico to address concerns about oil and gas development in the area. (Associated Press)
• State health officials say the public doesn’t need to be concerned about plumes of orange smoke that were released from a Colorado oil refinery following an emergency shutdown last week. (Denver Post)

FRACKING: Over 50 House Democrats ask the EPA to reconsider its finding that fracking doesn’t significantly impact drinking water resources, as recommended by the agency’s independent Science Advisory Board. (The Hill)

NUCLEAR: Four nuclear plants may be forced to close if they fail to win contracts at a power market auction next May, cutting enough carbon-free electricity to power over four million homes. (Bloomberg)

TECHNOLOGY: A $9,000 device uses solar thermal power and electricity to extract between 40 and 100 gallons of potable water from the air each day. (Treehugger)

COMMENTARY: Recent sustainability mandates and tax incentives are making it a great time for companies to invest in solar power. (GreenBiz)