COAL:
• How the nation’s third-largest coal company takes advantage of federal loopholes. (ClimateProgress)
• Coal companies seeking Chapter 11 “restructuring” are facing a lot of scrutiny from investors and judges for how their businesses can survive in the future. (EnergyWire)

CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• It will be extraordinary difficult for a future president hostile to environmental regulation to undo the Clean Power Plan, says EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. (The Hill)
• Some utilities are warning of risks the Clean Power Plan poses to grid reliability. (Politico)

EMISSIONS: A new study shows that emission reductions in the western U.S. are being offset by those coming from China and the upper atmosphere, suggesting the need for global pollution-reduction goals. (Greenwire)

SOLAR:
• Legal staff for Nevada’s PUC recommend against extending a net metering program at the request of solar installers. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• Market analysts say 2015 will be the “tipping point” for community solar, as steady growth is projected and utilities catch on to the business model. (UtilityDive)
• How states can prevent costly interconnection delays for solar projects. (CleanTechnica)

WIND: Wind is rapidly eroding coal’s share of Iowa’s energy mix. (SNL)

UTILITIES: A study finds having a municipal utility can make it easier for cities to advance climate goals. (Phys.org)

OIL: Oil prices are at their lowest point in six years. (Associated Press)

FRACKING: A report finds as many as 4,000 new fracking wells could be drilled in New York and Pennsylvania if current moratoriums are lifted. (Bucks County Courier Times)

BIOENERGY: The EPA estimates biodigesters last year eliminated 3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. (AFP)

BIOFUELS: $63 million in newly announced federal loans and grants will benefit rural biofuel producers. (Biodiesel Magazine)

HYDROPOWER: Hydro production in the Northwest is down 35 percent compared to last year. (SNL)

MEDIA: How Jon Stewart used comedy to fight climate change denial. (ClimateWire)

COMMENTARY:
• Why misleading Americans on climate change is dangerous. (New York Times)
• The untold story behind the Clean Power Plan. (Huffington Post)

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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.

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