FRAC SAND: Local officials in an eastern Minnesota county vote to move forward with an outright ban on frac sand mining there. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

WIND: Xcel Energy announces plans for four new wind farms in Minnesota and North Dakota that total 750 megawatts. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

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NUCLEAR:
• A pro-nuclear rally in Chicago targets an environmental group and renewable energy developer that remain opposed to subsidies for Illinois nuclear plants. (Midwest Energy News)
• A Nebraska utility will have to pay $5 million to terminate its operating contract for a nuclear plant it’s shutting down. (Omaha World-Herald) 

PIPELINES:
• Hundreds of people gather in Minneapolis calling on state authorities  to withdraw law enforcement help for the Dakota Access pipeline protest. (Minnesota Public Radio)
• The Dakota Access pipeline developer says protesters are trespassing on its land in North Dakota and wants them to leave immediately. (Associated Press)
• The Rev. Jesse Jackson says he is going to North Dakota to join the protest against the Dakota Access oil pipeline. (Associated Press)

POLICY:
• With backing from major corporations, clean energy standards in Ohio will likely be up for a vote after the November election. (Toledo Blade)
• Now with support from the state’s largest business group, Michigan lawmakers say they’ve made a “breakthrough” on comprehensive energy bills. (Detroit Free Press)

CLIMATE: An Army National Guard base in Michigan plans for energy independence and anticipating the effects of climate change. (Battle Creek Enquirer)

EMISSIONS: A U.S. district judge approves a $14.7 billion settlement over Volkswagen’s diesel emissions cheating scandal, with the German automaker slated to start buying back polluting cars next month. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY:
• Large multi-national corporations — including Nestle and Whirlpool — are making it clear that they want strong renewable energy and efficiency standards in Ohio. (Ceres, Natural Resources Defense Council)
• Following planned unit retirements at a major Minnesota coal plant, officials must now prove that replacing it with natural gas is the best investment. (St. Cloud Times)