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)

***SPONSORED LINK: Illinois Residents — Enter to win a 4kW solar installation! Only 1,200 tickets will be sold. 1 for $40, 3 for $100  www.illinoissolar.org ***

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.”

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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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