AGRICULTURE: An Iowa agency helps farmers cut their energy costs by identifying opportunities for efficiency and renewable energy. (Midwest Energy News)

CLIMATE CHANGE:
• In Paris, President Obama says the U.S. takes responsibility for its role in contributing to climate change and pledges “to do something about it.” (Forbes)
Monsanto says it will become carbon neutral by 2021. (Associated Press)
World leaders urge swapping out fossil-fuel subsidies in exchange for a carbon tax. (Forbes)

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BIOFUELS:
• In a highly awaited decision, the EPA announces new biofuel levels required in the U.S. fuel supply, increasing the amounts from a proposal earlier this year. (New York Times)
• Iowa agriculture interests are disappointed in the new biofuel-blend levels, calling them a “gut punch for consumers and farmers.” (The Gazette)

SOLAR:
• A $3 million solar project at an Illinois school district is in limbo after delays in designing the system. (Chicago Tribune)
Bloomington, Indiana plans to install panels on several city buildings. (Indiana Public Media)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: In a sharp upward trend, 300,000 electric vehicles have been sold in the U.S. since 2009 as battery costs have continued to decline. (Scientific American) 

CLEAN POWER PLAN: Utility and grid experts say the true costs of implementing the Clean Power Plan won’t be known for years. (ClimateWire)

PIPELINES: South Dakota regulators voted 2-1 to approve the Bakken oil pipeline through their state, but added conditions to better protect landowners along the route. (The Gazette)

EFFICIENCY: A new report says costs to fight global warming can run net-neutral if strong efficiency programs are in place. (Utility Dive)

NATURAL GAS: New cost estimates for a major natural-gas infrastructure project in Chicago are $1.2 billion less than earlier projected. (Milwaukee Business Journal)

SECURITY: Experts say the U.S. grid is still vulnerable to a major cyber attack. (EnergyWire)

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POLITICS: Ahead of a U.S. House floor debate this week, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle introduce dozens of amendments to a sweeping energy package. (E&E Daily)

COMMENTARY:
• The leader of an Ohio conservative group says Republicans need to “hit the reset button” and embrace clean energy. (Midwest Energy News)
Continuing to rely on corn-based ethanol to meet Renewable Fuel Standard goals is not a good idea. (Grist)
Proposed legislation in Michigan gives the state flexibility in meeting goals under the Clean Power Plan and addressing a projected capacity shortfall. (Detroit News)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

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