TRANSMISSION: The Energy Department signals its support for clean energy transmission lines by approving a major project through the southern Plains region. (New York Times)

SOLAR:
• DTE Energy looks to use vacant, city-owned property in Detroit for a 10-acre solar project. (Detroit Free Press)
• The mayor of a small northern Minnesota community along Lake Superior installs the town’s first solar system on his property. (Clean Energy Resource Teams)

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CLEAN TECH: Finalists compete for a $1 million prize in Chicago as part of this year’s Clean Energy Challenge. (Midwest Energy News)

RENEWABLES:
• New power generation in the U.S. is most likely to be wind or solar. (Climate Central)
• An Omaha-based energy company diversifies its revenue with renewable energy. (Omaha World-Herald)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The number of charging stations is on the rise in Iowa as electric vehicle ownership increases. (The Gazette)

COAL: Despite national trends toward natural gas, coal is still the dominant energy source in Nebraska. (Lincoln Journal Star)

PIPELINES: North Dakota regulators approve permits for new natural gas and oil pipelines. (Williston Herald)

FRACKING: Nebraska lawmakers approve tougher oversight of drilling waste disposal. (UPI)

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CLIMATE: Top climate scientists struggle with conveying the significance of climate change impacts to the public and policymakers. (Greenwire)

COMMENTARY:
• Wisconsin is positioned for a turnaround when it comes to developing more renewable energy. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
• The Exelon-Pepco merger will end up increasing rates for customers. (Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)
• A new report on clean energy jobs in the Midwest shows “welcome, dramatic job growth” in the industry and that statewide policies have consequences. (Joyce Foundation)
• The U.S. should follow British Columbia’s lead in adopting a carbon tax. (Madison Capital Times)