EFFICIENCY: Minnesota leads the Midwest in the latest ACEEE scorecard, while Indiana and Ohio drop in the rankings after lawmakers backtrack on key policies. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: Why Wisconsin returned to the top 20 in the ACEEE ranking, a North Dakota group pursues $25 million from the state’s oil revenue trust fund for energy efficiency projects, and the Energy Department considers new standards for air conditioners and dryers. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bismarck Tribune, The Hill)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join us at the Wisconsin Energy Institute: “Global Energy Outlook” on Oct. 29 as we bring together experts from around the world to discuss the energy, water and food challenges presented by growing urban environments.***

FRACKING: A loophole in Ohio law allows drillers to use toxic chemicals without a permit, and researchers find significant methane leakage in shale-producing regions. (Columbus Dispatch, ClimateWire)

NATURAL GAS: Natural gas is projected to surpass coal as the primary fuel source on the PJM Interconnection for the first time next year. (Natural Gas Intelligence)

WIND: A new report says wind could meet 20 percent of global electricity demand by 2030, and the Michigan National Guard will test a Minnesota-made air tunnel wind generator. (Climate Progress, Great Lakes Echo)

SOLAR: Utilities start to break into the solar business. (Reuters)

ELECTRIC CARS: A new Michigan law could make it the most restrictive state in the country against Tesla’s sales model. (MLive)

GRID: The Pentagon pushes for more microgrids on military bases to improve energy security. (Wall Street Journal)

POLITICS: Koch Industries is spending more on lobbying; meanwhile, the Koch Brothers are a popular target for environmental groups’ political ads. (Greenwire, Grist)

ETHANOL: A watchdog group sues the EPA for records, alleging industry influence in a decision to lower the renewable fuel mandate. (The Hill)

COMMENTARY: What would a grid designed for solar look like? (Greentech Media)