BIOMASS: Critics say ratepayers are on the hook for operating a Wisconsin biomass plant that only serves one private company. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: Burning wood for energy is coming under increasing pressure as a cleaner alternative to oil and gas. (MinnPost)

***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:
•  Oil production from the country’s most prolific tight-rock formations like Bakken and Eagle Ford is on the decline. (Bloomberg)
•  A major developer in Ohio is divesting in land in the Utica shale play (Columbus Business First)
•  An Iowa board will likely make a ruling on the proposed $3.8B Dakota Access Pipeline in December or January. (The Gazette)

CLEAN POWER PLAN
•  A federal court has rejected the first challenge to the EPA’s proposed carbon rules. (New York Times)
•  A new report says the Clean Power Plan will create nearly 100,000 more jobs than are lost. (ClimateProgress)
•  An official representing state environmental agencies advises EPA to give states a day or two notice before final carbon rules are issued. (EnergyWire)

EPA: House Republicans have proposed cutting the agency’s budget by 9 percent and blocking the enforcement of key regulations. (Associated Press)

CLIMATE: A new study says the IPCC created confusion over a global-warming ‘pause’ by emphasizing record temperatures in the past decade. (ClimateWire)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES
•  The Indianapolis City Council votes to sue the mayoral administration over what it says is an illegal contract to convert the city’s fleet to electric vehicles. (Governing)
•  Minnesota regulators approve new rates specific to electric vehicles. (Cleantechnica)

RENEWABLES: Cheap wind energy in Michigan is saving ratepayers millions of dollars. (Cleantechnica)

BUDGET: FERC and the Obama administration say House Republicans’ energy funding plan would hinder progress on efficiency and cutting carbon. (Utility Dive)

***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.***

COMMENTARY: Defending ethanol’s role as an economic driver and alternative fuel source in Indiana. (News-Sentinel)