COAL: Environmental groups file a lawsuit challenging the U.S. EPA’s rollback of Obama-era regulations on coal plant wastewater, which could have implications for two Wisconsin facilities. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

CLEAN ENERGY: A senior policy associate with a Chicago community solar developer discusses how energy poverty challenges in her youth influenced her efforts to expand clean energy access to environmental justice communities. (Centered)

***SPONSORED LINK: The New England Energy Summit, Nov. 16, 23 and 30 will bring together industry leaders, end users and policymakers to address emerging issues and engage in impactful discussion. Featuring keynote speakers Ernest J. Moniz and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse. Register at newenglandenergysummit.com .***

PIPELINES: A federal judge dismisses parts of a defamation lawsuit against law enforcement officials who made public statements blaming a Dakota Access pipeline protester for her own injuries four years ago. (Associated Press)

SOLAR:
• Vectren expects to start construction soon on a 50 MW solar project in southwestern Indiana. (Inside Indiana Business)
• A Minnesota energy supplier expects solar to play a larger role in the state’s energy mix as costs decline. (KARE)

POLITICS: An American Electric Power political action committee contributes $7,500 to seven members of a legislative committee tasked with repealing and replacing Ohio’s power plant subsidy law. (Energy and Policy Institute)

RENEWABLES:
• The Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, whose members include General Motors and Google, issues guidelines to organize new wholesale energy markets to spur corporate renewable energy purchases. (Utility Dive)
• Experts say Iowa is poised to be a national leader in renewable energy with a more robust transmission buildout. (Des Moines Register)

UTILITIES:
• FirstEnergy executives warn investors the company’s balance sheet could be hurt by an ongoing investigation into its role in an alleged bribery scheme. (Columbus Business First)
• Xcel Energy’s proposed 20% rate increase over three years could be put on hold for a year as regulators consider the utility’s pandemic-related clean energy investments. (Star Tribune)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Ford executives are planning affordable electric vehicle models that could start at $20,000. (CNET)

COMMENTARY: In addition to an alleged bribery scandal, Ohio lawmakers have sought to weaken consumer protections by restricting the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, a former state senator writes. (Columbus Dispatch)