SOLAR: Illinois lawmakers have adopted new interconnection standards that will make the solar siting and installation process significantly quicker and cheaper. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• Missouri’s largest utility wants to launch a pilot program that installs  solar projects on commercial and industrial customers’ rooftops. (EnergyWire)
• An aerial look at Minnesota’s largest solar farm, a 100-megawatt project set to go online in December. (Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal)

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NUCLEAR: Illinois lawmakers will continue their push to save Exelon’s struggling nuclear plants in an upcoming fall veto session. (Decatur Herald and Review)

CLIMATE: Scientists discover a chemical reaction that turns carbon dioxide into ethanol, which could be used to power generators and vehicles. (Popular Mechanics)

WIND: A local zoning board in South Dakota denies a developer’s proposal for a 48-megawatt wind project. (Watertown Public Opinion)

UTILITIES: Kansas regulators say they still have insufficient information about potential cost savings through the proposed acquisition of Westar Energy by Great Plains Energy. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

PIPELINES:
• North Dakota regulators say they are surprised at the backlash and protests surrounding the Dakota Access pipeline, saying tribal groups “didn’t come to the table when they were invited.” (EnergyWire)
• Opponents in an Iowa congressional race say they each have concerns about the use of eminent domain for the Dakota Access pipeline. (Radio Iowa)

OHIO: New data show there are fewer industrial electric customers in Ohio since 2010 and those remaining are paying higher rates. (Columbus Business First)

FRACKING: Plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit blaming earthquakes in Oklahoma on fracking plan to refile their case in state court, which could pay off for them in the long run. (Forbes)

OIL AND GAS:
• A year after a major natural gas leak in Los Angeles, a federal task force is recommending dozens of safety changes for natural gas storage sites across the country. (Associated Press)
• North Dakota officials are investigating an oil and brine spill that has released about 70 barrels. (Bismarck Tribune)
• North Dakota says it is not trying to claim oil and gas mineral rights under Lake Sakakawea as some landowners feared. (Forum News Service)
• Analysts say big oil companies are learning to become more efficient during the industry’s downturn, which could make them stronger in the long run. (New York Times)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Lincoln, Nebraska looks to boost EV adoption by buying its own vehicle and installing charging stations around the city. (Lincoln Journal Star)

COMMENTARY:
• The North Dakota coal industry’s approach to embracing a carbon-free future by investing in new technology “makes sense.” (Bismarck Tribune)
• Biomass “can and should” play an important role in Michigan’s “no-regrets” energy policy. (Detroit News)