CLEAN POWER PLAN:
• More than 200 members of Congress say the EPA doesn’t have the authority to enforce the Clean Power Plan. (Associated Press)
The U.S. is already “racing toward” meeting the goals of the Clean Power Plan. (The Hill)

EPA: A coalition of twenty states is asking the Supreme Court to block the EPA’s standards for mercury and other toxins. (The Hill)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• Nevada’s Republican governor reactivates a state renewable energy task force, in response to a recent decision by state regulators to cut rates for net metering. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
• An Arizona study examines the social factors preventing clean energy adoption on tribal lands. (Arizona State University)
• A bill to double Oregon’s renewable energy standard could face a challenge in the state Senate. (Portland Tribune)

CLIMATE:
• New York officials ask the Securities and Exchange Commission to require ExxonMobil to put a climate change resolution before shareholders. (Reuters)
Maryland may join New York in investigating Exxon’s role in spreading misinformation about climate change. (InsideClimate News)

SOLAR:
• A report finds 17 states enacted net metering changes in 2015, with at least 35 utilities imposing higher fixed charges. (PV Magazine)
• In a settlement with solar developers, Xcel Energy will accept 60 MW in new community solar applications in Colorado. (Denver Post)
• Utilities and solar advocates spar over a demand-charge proposal in Arizona. (Arizona Republic)
• A bill in Utah would allow for third-party ownership of solar arrays. (KUCW)

WIND: The U.S. has been surpassed by China as the world’s top wind turbine manufacturer. (ClimateWire)

UTILITIES:
• An Arizona utility is under investigation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission over how it sets wholesale prices. (Bloomberg)
• New York regulators reject a plan to charge ratepayers for converting a coal plant to natural gas. (Ithaca Journal)
• A new report examines how utilities are working with private-sector partners on grid advancement. (Utility Dive)
• In-house meteorologists help large utilities prepare for major storm events. (EnergyWire)

COAL: A plan to mine under a roadless area in Colorado is undergoing tougher federal scrutiny. (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel)

OIL AND GAS:
• An industry group says natural gas companies are slow to sign on for voluntary methane reductions. (Reuters)
• The battle over fracking in Florida intensifies. (New York Times)
• The Coast Guard drops a plan to permit barges to carry fracking wastewater on U.S. rivers. (WDRB Louisville)
• Colorado fracking opponents drop 7 more proposed ballot measures. (Denver Business Journal)

TRANSPORTATION: Racing fans push back against the EPA’s decision to reverse an exemption allowing cars to be modified for track use. (Detroit News)

COMMENTARY:
• Why Bill Gates is pursuing “energy miracles” to address climate change. (New York Times)
• Clean energy presents “an opportunity for a triple bottom line.” (Ramez Naam)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.

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