SOLAR: Advocates say utilities are ignoring an Iowa Supreme Court ruling from last year by not offering net metering for third-party solar projects. (Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS: In the latest round of climate regulations, the Obama administration is expected today to announce new fuel-efficiency rules for heavy-duty trucks. (New York Times)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Illinois Renewable Energy Conference, July 16 in Normal, Illinois, will feature plenary sessions of interest to all areas of renewable energy, plus specific breakout sessions for wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, and energy efficiency.***

OIL AND GAS:
•  A sweeping new study shows that increased wastewater injections from oil and gas companies are triggering more earthquakes in the central United States. (Associated Press)
•  Wisconsin Energy Corp. dives deeper into the compressed natural gas industry with a company that’s expanding in California. (Milwaukee Business Journal)

UTILITIES:
•  Minnesota’s e21 Initiative is driving changes in utilities’ business model. (Utility Dive)
•  Michigan’s two large investor-owned utilities pledge to spend $5 billion each on suppliers located within the state. (MLive)

BIOFUELS: Researchers in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri are among those selected by a federal agency to receive millions to accelerate the development of biofuel crops. (Biofuels Digest)

EFFICIENCY: Consumers Energy reimburses a Michigan college $66,000 after the school makes efficiency upgrades. (MLive)

COAL:
•  More than 250 laid off Murray Energy employees were called back to work earlier this month. (Associated Press)
•  A lobbyist for a St. Louis-based coal company says the Pope’s climate change Encyclical ignores the “global poverty” argument for coal. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

***SPONSORED LINK: Energy Storage USA 2015, July 7-8 in San Diego, is the only event in the United States focused exclusively on the commercialization of storage, to help you bring your technology to market and win lucrative projects.***

TECHNOLOGY: EPA administrator Gina McCarthy tours a Michigan company’s facility specializing in advanced energy-saving technologies. (CBS Detroit)

COMMENTARY:
•  Coal-dependent Missouri is in a good position to comply with the Clean Power Plan as it transitions to more renewables. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
•  Michigan congressman sees the benefits of lifting the ban on oil exports. (MLive)
•  Oil and gas development in North Dakota presents housing challenges for local governments. (Bismarck Tribune)