CLIMATE: A dozen major corporations, including Cargill and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, sign a pledge calling for strong action on climate change. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, Omaha World-Herald)

WIND: MidAmerican Energy says it’s latest project will boost wind energy to 57 percent of its portfolio. (Des Moines Register)

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SOLAR: An Iowa co-op has until tomorrow to provide the state’s Consumer Advocate with a “confidential” study justifying its $85 fixed charge for customers who generate their own power. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO:
• A solar array at a Sioux City community college will help the local public radio station cut costs. (Sioux City Journal)
• Wisconsin teachers learn how to install solar panels. (Wisconsin State Journal)
• A Minnesota city votes to partner with two companies on solar and energy efficiency efforts. (St. Cloud Times)
• Illinois’ power agency selects the city of St. Charles for a pilot solar project. (Daily Herald)
• A Michigan town votes to lease a former industrial site for $1 for a solar project. (WTVB)

SMART METERS: Despite broad acceptance of the technology and being on the losing side of a series of court rulings, Michigan smart meter opponents say they’re “not going away.” (Midwest Energy News)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: For states and utilities, the most common change requested for EPA carbon rules is more time to implement them. (ClimateWire)

GRID: An analysis finds a FERC decision allowing demand response and efficiency to be bid into PJM capacity auctions won’t lower prices as much as expected. (Platts)

COAL:
• The Federal Election Commission drops its investigation of allegations that Ohio-based Murray Energy forced workers to attend a 2012 Mitt Romney campaign event. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• A coal company lays off 175 workers at an Indiana mining operation. (Associated Press)

KEYSTONE XL:
• At a hearing in South Dakota, TransCanada says “the time to contest whether the pipeline is a good or a bad idea” was in 2010. (Associated Press)
• A hearing date is set for an eminent domain challenge in Nebraska. (Lincoln Journal Star)
• Prominent Nebraska pipeline opponent Jane Kleeb says she’s considering a run for the state’s Public Service Commission. (Lincoln Journal Star)

OIL: North Dakota’s top regulator says the drilling is “not a bust” but will nevertheless put a crimp in state finances. (Forum News Service)

PETCOKE: A photo essay documents the impact of petroleum coke storage in Chicago. (Chicago Magazine)

EFFICIENCY: Chicago officials say more efficient light bulbs are saving the city $1.5 million a year on energy costs. (WLS)

CORRECTION: An item in Friday’s digest should have credited the Columbus Dispatch, not the “Cleveland Dispatch.”