EFFICIENCY: Energy savings achieved by some Cleveland businesses and city agencies have put them well ahead of the benchmarks utilities must meet under Ohio’s energy efficiency standard. (Midwest Energy News)

ALSO: States with budding marijuana industries consider how to regulate their high energy consumption. (Washington Post)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join venture capitalists, civic leaders, and industry executives on April 14 at the Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago to watch fourteen cleantech startups compete for $1 million in total funding.***

EPA:
• Ohio Set. Rob Portman wants to allow states to opt out of carbon regulations. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
• Kansas lawmakers advance a bill directing state agencies to set up a carbon reduction plan. (Associated Press)

COAL:
• A financial analysis finds the U.S. coal sector is in “terminal decline.” (The Guardian)
• Opponents continue to fight a permit for an Ohio coal mine. (New Philadelphia Times Reporter)
• The Supreme Court case on EPA mercury rules won’t impact AEP’s decision to close several Ohio coal plants. (Columbus Business First)

OIL AND GAS: 
• A study finds billions of dollars from North Dakota’s oil boom leaving the state’s economy. (Fargo Forum)
• North Dakota regulators outline exceptions to flaring rules. (Dickinson Press)

SOLAR: Local officials in Carbondale, Illinois approve a solar project that was opposed by some residents. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

WIND: Why General Motors is investing in wind energy. (Forbes)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join the solar industry in Minneapolis on May 13-14 at the Midwest Solar Expo! Expand your network and meet face-to-face with key Midwest solar industry players. Register today!***

SMART METERS: Ohio customers who refuse a smart meter will pay a lower monthly fee. (Columbus Business First)

COMMENTARY:
• Distributed generation is “going to happen anyway, and you just have to choose whether you’re gonna like it or not.” (Mother Jones)
• Will Minnesota policymakers follow major employers’ lead on clean energy? (MinnPost)

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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