SOLAR: Minnesota regulators are expected to decide today on a “value of solar” formula that would provide pricing clarity for utilities and owners of solar arrays. (EnergyWire)

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Why Minnesota’s value of solar process could be seen as a national model; and a Q&A with Karl Rábago, one of the leading advocates for the value of solar policy. (Midwest Energy News)

***SPONSORED LINK: The 2014 Clean Energy Challenge business plan competition on April 3 awards $500,000 in prizes to innovative Midwest clean tech startups! Hear keynote speakers David Crane and Tom Steyer. Use code “MEN_Newsletter” & register today! ***

COAL: A bankruptcy judge approves the sale of Edison Mission Energy’s assets, including four Illinois coal plants, to a New Jersey company, and SunCoke Energy plans to sell its coal mining business. (Chicago Tribune, Reuters)

WIND: House Republicans issue a subpoena for documents related to enforcement of wildlife laws at wind farms. (Associated Press)

FRACKING: Ohio officials aren’t answering any questions about whether earthquakes suspected to be related to a recently shut down fracking operation. (Columbus Dispatch)

OIL AND GAS: North Dakota’s oil boom is causing problems for farmers, radioactive oil field waste is found in an abandoned North Dakota gas station, and a mechanical failure causes a Michigan well to burst into flames. (Stateline, Bismarck Tribune, Traverse City Record-Eagle)

FRAC SAND: A Wisconsin town delays a vote on a proposed frac sand mine. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)

NUCLEAR: Documents show the NRC downplayed the risk of earthquakes to U.S. nuclear plants following the Fukushima disaster, even as its own experts questioned safety standards; and Michigan researchers develop a new radiation camera that will make it easier to spot leaks. (NBC News, CBS Detroit)

MORE SOLAR: A Wisconsin co-op plans a new solar array. (LaCrosse Tribune)

ETHANOL: A Wisconsin ethanol plant is fined $125,000 for pollution violations. (Wisconsin State Journal)

TESLA: Officials from Tesla Motors meet with Ohio auto dealers who are trying to block the company’s retail stores from the state. (Columbus Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend “Solar PV Systems and the NEC Code” with John Wiles April 7 in Palatine, Illinois. Inspector & Installer continuing education credits available. FREE for ISEA members! Join and receive all the member benefits at illinoissolar.org.***

EFFICIENCY: An Ohio bill would eliminate a program for energy-efficient schools. (Public News Service)

COMMENTARY: The best one-liners from the Senate’s climate all-nighter. (Grist)

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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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