EPA:
• The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed closely divided over whether EPA limits on emissions of toxic pollutants from power plants had failed to take account of the costs they would impose. (The New York Times)
• Vermont’s governor replied to Senator Mitch McConnell’s request that all governors ignore EPA emissions limits for power plants with a note saying climate change is real and it’s time to deal with it. (Huffington Post)
• Mississippi state senators passed a resolution Tuesday urging the EPA to rescind its controversial Clean Power Plan. (The Clarion-Ledger)
• NorthWestern Energy’s CEO says better communication among parties not always inclined to talk to one another will be the key to a workable final version of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. (EnergyWire)
SOLAR: The wing commander at Nevada’s Nellis Air Force Base broke ground Tuesday on construction of a 15-megawatt solar project to be built by SunPower Corp. (Las Vegas Review Journal)
EFFICIENCY: For the first time since its 2008 inception, the EPA’s list of cities with the most Energy Star-certified buildings showed Washington, DC, squeak past reigning leader Los Angeles to take first place. (GreenBiz)
FRACKING:
• The amount of water used in fracking has skyrocketed since 2000, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (National Geographic)
• North Dakota may challenge a new federal fracking rule requiring companies drilling for oil and gas on federal lands to disclose the chemicals they use. (Associated Press)
COAL: The Obama administration has proposed a change in how it collects royalties on coal mined from federal land, a move that environmentalists hope, and the industry worries, will cut use of the fuel. (Bloomberg)
CHP: A Wisconsin hospital demonstrates how hospitals are especially well suited for combined heat and power (CHP) projects that generate electricity and capture waste heat. (Midwest Energy News)
STORAGE: California, Hawaii and New York lead in energy storage by virtue of their unique incentives, mandates and markets, according to a new report from GTM Research and the Energy Storage Association. (Greentech Media)
POLL: Concern over climate change and other environmental issues has fallen from last year after generally increasing the previous several years, according to a new Gallup poll. (Gallup)
BIG OIL: The Securities and Exchange Commission blocked a groundbreaking shareholder proposal on climate change from going to a vote at ExxonMobil five days after clearing a similar resolution for Chevron’s shareholder ballot. (InsideClimate News)
OREGON: Three groups are suing Oregon’s governor and state environmental regulators to block the rollout of Oregon’s clean-fuels program. (The Oregonian)
VERMONT: Vermont lawmakers say it’s likely legislation to retool the way Vermont sites solar, wind and other renewable energy projects will take until next year to see action. (Burlington Free Press)
CALIFORNIA: The California state Senate approved a $1-billion spending plan Wednesday to provide an emergency response to the state’s drought, which has entered its fourth year with no sign of stopping. (Los Angeles Times)