CLEAN ENERGY: New York approves a Clean Energy Standard that calls for 50 percent clean and renewable energy by 2030, plus nuclear subsidies. (Reuters)

ALSO:
• Unlike California, New York’s clean energy plan is trying to save nuclear, with Exelon being the primary benefactor of subsidies. (Washington Post, Crain’s Chicago Business)
• A business group says New York regulators failed to adequately assess the costs of the plan. (Albany Business Review)

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OIL & GAS: Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer spends millions in a fight against oil groups who are trying to weaken California’s cap-and-trade law. (The Hill)

PIPELINES: Pipeline construction equipment valued at nearly $1 million was destroyed in central Iowa in “a shameful act” of suspected arson. (Des Moines Register)

POLLUTION: Fossil fuels are negatively impacting the health of city residents, according to a Detroit health director. (Midwest Energy News)

COAL:
• The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration drops the allowable level of respirable coal dust in mines. (Associated Press)
• A global glut of coal and the blocked construction of coal shipping terminals thwarts exports from western states. (Wall Street Journal)
• Eastern Kentucky’s population drops as coal jobs dwindle. (Lexington Herald-Leader)
• Wyoming’s governor seeks to end the Department of Interior’s moratorium on new coal leases. (Wyoming Business Report)

COAL ASH: Emails show North Carolina’s state toxicologist removed his name from water advisory emails after changes, which he dubbed “absolutely unscientifically untrue,” were made reflecting a utility’s position. (Winston-Salem Journal)

SOLAR:
• A California law streamlining solar permitting means some cities are approving projects in as little as a day. (InsideClimate News)
• A New Mexico company wins $225,000 from the National Science Foundation to develop solar windows using quantum dots. (Albuquerque Business First)
• A California man discovers his solar panels are susceptible to hacking. (Forbes)
• Maine begins construction on its first community solar installation on a publicly owned property. (Bangor Daily News)

POLITICS:
• Views on coal-fired electricity could tip the scales for presidential candidates in 13 battleground states, according to a new report. (Deseret News)
• Hillary Clinton says there’s no clear path for increasing coal production and using it for clean energy. (The Hill)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The merger of Tesla and SolarCity, which both rely on government subsidies, has some analysts worried about the companies’ financial future. (Los Angeles Times)
• Electric vehicle advocates say different formats for fast-charging units — and an unwillingness among automakers to have uniform standards — is hindering growth. (ClimateWire)

GRID: Companies are reducing energy demand at peak hours by linking renewable energy networks. (Yale Environment 360)

COMMENTARY:
• Clean energy standards adopted by New York this week will rival those in California. (Huffington Post)
• Massachusetts’ new clean energy bill is a cause for celebration. (Union of Concerned Scientists)