CLIMATE:Global peer pressure” drives an first-of-its-kind agreement among 200 nations to cut emissions. (New York Times)

ALSO: A poll finds a majority of Americans, including half of Republicans, support limits on carbon emissions. (Associated Press)

***SPONSORED LINK: The Midwest Energy Solutions Conference is the largest event of its kind in the region. This event attracts a diverse assemblage of thought leaders from around the nation who share a passion for energy efficiency.***

EFFICIENCY: Michigan lawmakers advance a bill that would extend PACE financing — currently limited to commercial properties — to homeowners. (Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION: An analysis finds that while railroads reap record profits, taxpayers have paid $84 million for new rail cars to carry crude oil. (Reuters)

EPA: Lawyers prepare for challenges to the Clean Power Plan based on federal vs. state authority, and Illinois lawmakers voice support for carbon regulations. (ClimateWire, Environmental Defense Fund)

SOLAR: A Minnesota town imposes a moratorium on solar farms, Michigan utilities plan community solar projects, and an Indiana utility plans another large solar installation. (Minnesota Watchdog, Crain’s Detroit Business, Crawfordsville Journal Review)

OIL AND GAS: Oil production falls in North Dakota amid low prices, a study predicts tougher rules to prevent earthquakes, and workers lose control of a natural gas well in Ohio. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, Columbus Business First, Houston Business Journal)

KEYSTONE XL: Will low oil prices doom Keystone XL? (Politico)

TRANSMISSION: FERC approves a new transmission line to carry Canadian hydropower into Minnesota. (Duluth News Tribune)

WIND: A study finds Nebraska’s grid could support an additional 2,000 megawatts of wind energy. (Lincoln Journal Star)

POLLUTION: Wisconsin environmental groups say state regulators are not complying with federal rules to control pollution. (Wisconsin Public Radio)

COAL: Advocates highlight the economic risks of southern Illinois’ dependence on the oal industry. (Carbondale Southern Illinoisan)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join clean energy entrepreneur Jigar Shah, ELPC’s Brad Klein, and Wisconsin businesses, policymakers, advocates, and utilities at the RENEW Wisconsin Energy Summit on Friday, January 9 in Madison. Early bird registration ends Dec. 20! ***

GEOTHERMAL: An Ohio bakery installs a geothermal heating and cooling system. (Athens News)

COMMENTARY: Recent regulatory decisions are the latest examples of Scott Walker’s ideology getting in the way of job growth in Wisconsin. (Madison Capital-Times)

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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