OVERSIGHT: In a speech highlighting the 50th anniversary of the agency, EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler claims efforts to fight climate change harm the poor and pledges to focus on cleaning up pollution at the community level. (Reuters, The Hill)

ALSO: FERC now says it has exclusive jurisdiction over a Colorado cooperative’s member exit charges, a move that could have broader implications for rate cases, experts say. (Utility Dive)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Rise Up! podcast brings real-time, relevant energy and policy information to Midwest stakeholders through an engaging and entertaining medium. Episode 4: “Credit Where Credit is Due” with special guest Andy Johnson is out now! #RiseUpMidwest*** 

SOLAR: Wisconsin regulators continue to struggle with the definition of a utility under state law, a question with high stakes for third-party solar in the state. (Wisconsin State Journal)

NUCLEAR: Another standoff is unfolding in Illinois over state subsidies to keep two nuclear plants open, resembling a debate from about five years ago. (InsideClimate News)

UTILITIES:
• Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam wants Dominion Energy to cover unpaid residential electric bills with the $320 million that state regulators say the company previously overcharged. (Virginian-Pilot)
• New Hampshire utilities increase their energy efficiency goals over the next three years to sell 5% less electricity and 3% less gas. (NHPR)

OHIO: The Ohio Senate president, who voted for the state’s power plant bailout law that is the focus of a federal bribery investigation, now supports a “straight repeal” and says there’s little need for ongoing discussion. (WKSU)

CLEAN ENERGY: A new report commissioned by California’s legislature looks at the “greening” of existing jobs, and makes policy recommendations to ensure equity and fair wages. (Los Angeles Times)

OIL & GAS: Louisiana environmental regulators send two mobile air pollution monitoring labs to the Lake Charles area, where key monitors for petrochemical pollutants have been down since Hurricane Laura. (NOLA.com)

WIND: European offshore wind developers see the United States as ripe territory to expand their markets. (E&E News)

HYDROGEN: Experts debate whether renewable hydrogen is poised for growth or overhyped. (E&E News)

GEOTHERMAL: Nevada renewable energy developers see geothermal as a cheaper and emissions-free alternative to natural gas for heating as well as electricity generation. (Nevada Independent)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Renew Missouri’s End-of-Year CLE on Sept. 11 from 8:30am-4:30pm. 8 hours of required legal education credit (Kansas and Missouri with one hour of implicit bias/ethics credit) is available with discussions on Midwestern energy policy. Price is $300; proceeds benefit Renew’s not-for-profit work. In-person or online. Sign up here. ***

POLITICS: Vice President Mike Pence’s long history of supporting the fossil fuel industry has influenced policy in the White House. (InsideClimate News)

COMMENTARY:
• An analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council says Pennsylvania law allows the state to join a regional cap-and-trade emissions agreement without legislative approval.
• An Ohio editorial board says House lawmakers are “dawdling” over the repeal of HB 6. (Cleveland.com)

Avatar photo

Ken Paulman

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.