SOLAR: Community solar is expected to kick into high gear this morning as the state’s largest utility begins accepting applications; some projects have already sold out. (Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY: Advocates say Republican gains in state elections don’t necessarily mean peril for efficiency programs, and a Michigan Habitat for Humanity chapter dedicates a new high-efficiency home. (Midwest Energy News, MLive)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***

CLIMATE: Exelon says some industries’ “doomsday predictions” about the impact of EPA carbon rules “are simply not correct.” (Greenwire)

OIL: North Dakota grapples with the “paradox of plenty” — trying to turn a short-term boom into long-term prosperity. (Vox)

ALSO: Why surging oil production won’t necessarily mean more consumption in the U.S. (Bloomberg)

FRACKING: Low oil prices are not expected to slow drilling activity in Illinois. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

COAL: The Sierra Club says it will appeal a state decision allowing the FutureGen project to proceed. (Jacksonville Journal-Courier)

NUCLEAR: Federal regulators say workers performing maintenance at a Michigan nuclear plant were inadequately monitored for radiation. (MLive)

ELECTRIC CARS: An Ohio man’s Chevy Volt is the first to hit 200,000 miles, and Lincoln, Nebraska unveils its first public EV charging station. (Inside EVs, Lincoln Journal Star)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, ELPC’s Brad Klein, and Wisconsin businesses, policymakers, advocates, and utilities at the RENEW Wisconsin Energy Summit on Friday, January 9 in Madison. Early bird registration ends Dec. 20! ***

MEDIA: Scientists want journalists to stop using the word “skeptic” to describe climate science deniers. (ClimateProgress)

COMMENTARY: Why wind and solar pose less financial risk than other power projects. (Grist)

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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