COAL: Obama and Romney court the coal industry, and a Virginia mining company announces it’s laying off 1,200 employees. (McClatchy, Reuters)
BIOFUELS: A Michigan-led team of researchers from four nations are studying the best ways to increase the production of cleaner fuels like ethanol and biodiesel – and do so in a way that is economically and environmentally sustainable. (Midwest Energy News)
*** SPONSORED LINK: Join over 500 private- and public-sector thought leaders from around the nation at the 2013 Midwest Energy Solutions Conference taking place January 16-18 in Chicago. Register today! ***
OIL: Tribal concerns complicate construction of Keystone XL; and the Williston, North Dakota airport adds a double-wide trailer to expand its seating capacity as major airlines begin offering daily service. (Washington Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune)
SOLAR: A first-of-its-kind community solar project in Minnesota allows participants to buy a stake for less than $1,000. (St. Cloud Times)
NUCLEAR: A nuclear industry group says its “optimistic” Congress will act on waste management issues in 2013. (The Hill)
MINNEAPOLIS: Boulder’s former mayor is in Minneapolis to share her city’s experience with forming its own utility. (Finance & Commerce)
TRANSMISSION: North Dakota regulators sign off on a segment of the CapX2020 project connecting Fargo to St. Cloud, Minnesota. (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
ETHANOL: Ethanol futures fall as corn prices begin to decline. (Bloomberg)
COMMENTARY: The two things that need to happen for energy innovation to move forward. (The Energy Collective)