CLIMATE: An analysis finds that new global pledges to lower emissions will only limit global warming to 6 degrees Fahrenheit, which scientists warn will still be catastrophic. (New York Times)

OIL AND GAS:
• After spending $7 billion, Shell abandons its Arctic drilling operation “for the foreseeable future.” (Bloomberg, New York Times)
• A new report challenges industry claims that worker safety is improving. (Denver Post)
• Colorado drillers may soon be cut off from credit lines. (Denver Post)

VW POLLUTION CASE:
• The EPA says it will add on-road tests to its vehicle emissions evaluations in response to VW’s software designed to bypass regulations. (Associated Press)
• California is planning a “major enforcement action” against the company. (ClimateWire)

SOLAR:
• An Arizona utility says it will withdraw its plan to increase rates on solar customers while regulators study the issue. (Arizona Republic)
• Proposals by California utilities could eliminate cost savings from residential solar, a situation one developer calls “catastrophic.” (Los Angeles Times)
• A North Carolina sustainable energy group says the state has built one gigawatt of solar power capacity accounting for $1.6 billion in revenue. (United Press International)
• Republican lawmakers in Michigan look to settle the value of solar debate after various stakeholders spent months trying unsuccessfully to reach consensus. (Midwest Energy News)

WIND: While prospects dim for the Cape Wind project, other developers are eyeing offshore wind sites off the Massachusetts coast. (MetroWest Daily News)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: California lawmakers are working to expand renewable energy to low-income and minority communities. (Al Jazeera)

CLEAN POWER PLAN: Opponents eagerly await for the final rule to be published in the Federal Register so they can mount formal challenges. (EnergyWire)

POLLUTION:
• Industry groups and several states ask the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out the EPA’s rules for reducing mercury at coal plants. (Greenwire)
• A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers introduce legislation that would delay compliance for some under a stricter ozone standard. (E&E Daily)

UTILITIES: Exelon officials say they plan to refile a bid today to acquire Pepco in a $6.8 billion merger after regulators rejected a previous deal. (Baltimore Business Journal)

COMMENTARY: A self-described “oil guy” explains why he’s bullish on solar. (Fortune)

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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