SOLAR: 
• The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects solar will outpace natural gas in new capacity this year, with more than 9 GW built. (Quartz)
• A report finds over half of utility-scale solar installed in the U.S. in 2016 will be above and beyond state renewable standards. (Greentech Media)
• How state policy fights are calling into question the future of rooftop solar. (Reuters)
• Virginia lawmakers table a suite of bills related to solar power. (Greentech Media)
• MIT researchers develop a solar cell that is 50 times thinner than a human hair. (Mother Jones)

POLICY: Oregon’s state House passes a bill to double the state’s renewable energy standard, the Senate is expected to vote on it today. (Portland Tribune)

POLITICS: The ClearPath Foundation releases polling illustrating significant support among Republicans for clean energy state-by-state. (ClearPath Foundation)

CLEAN ENERGY: A report finds that despite clean-energy growth in Vermont, none of that energy actually reaches the state’s residents. (Utility Dive/Smart Grid News)

FRACKING:
• A Florida state Senate committee fails to revive a bill that would have banned local fracking controls, meaning it’s likely dead for this session. (Tallahassee Democrat)
• Advocates say Oklahoma’s steps to prevent earthquakes related to wastewater disposal are too little, too late. (Los Angeles Times)

OIL AND GAS:
• A California utility could face up to $652 million in fines for violations related to inadequate record keeping for its natural gas system. (San Jose Mercury News)
• A former Chesapeake Energy executive faces federal charges over allegations he conspired to suppress lease prices in Oklahoma. (New York Times)

COAL:
• Statistics suggest China’s coal consumption may have already peaked, further raising doubts for the future of U.S. mining. (New York Times)
• Concerns over mine cleanup are spiking amid the industry downturn. (Greenwire)
• Gas-fired plants generated more electricity than coal did in seven months of 2015. (Utility Dive)

WIND: By the end of 2017, wind is slated to overtake hydropower as the leading source of renewable energy generation in the U.S. (Utility Dive)

UTILITIES:
• The Exelon-Pepco merger is again in doubt amid opposition from D.C.’s mayor and consumer advocate. (RTO Insider)
• NRG Energy’s new CEO pledges a more scaled-back approach to transitioning to clean energy. (EnergyWire)

ELECTRIC CARS: Nevada’s governor unveils the first state-sponsored charging station on an “electric highway” between Las Vegas and Reno. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)

EFFICIENCY: Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz says it will be difficult for future presidents to reverse course on Obama administration efficiency rules. (The Hill)

DIVESTMENT:
• An analysis finds New York’s pension fund lost $5 billion over three years on fossil fuels. (Grist)
• Why a Rockefeller heir is moving her family’s wealth away from oil. (Huffington Post)

COMMENTARY:
• What the U.S. can learn from the success of British Columbia’s conservative-backed carbon tax. (New York Times)
• Why “community choice” energy programs offer a better deal for ratepayers. (Greentech Media)