GRID: Texas’ grid operator says growth in natural gas, wind and solar is making the state’s grid increasingly stable. (Dallas Morning News)

CLIMATE CHANGE:
• In a symbolic vote meant to undercut President Obama while in Paris, the U.S. House follows the Senate in attempting to block domestic efforts to curb climate change. (New York Times)
“The truth is,” no one has done more in the climate trenches than Secretary of State John Kerry. (Rolling Stone)

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UTILITIES:
 A utility income-guarantee proposal emerges in Ohio for struggling power plants. FirstEnergy says it will ultimately help ratepayers and the company, while critics say it will cost billions. (Toledo Blade)
• An Illinois utility seeks mandatory demand charges, which are normally used for big industrial and commercial customers, on all ratepayers as a way to get all users to “pay their fair share.” (Midwest Energy News)

EFFICIENCY: A “pay-for-performance” pilot program in California would be a wholesale shift in how to deliver and pay for efficiency upgrades. (Greentech Media)

PARIS:
• Officials say commitment to a climate agreement is one bright spot of cooperation between the U.S. and China. (ClimateWire)
Countries debate the role of nuclear power going forward. (NPR)
President Obama wants a legally binding agreement, which will likely further rile congressional Republicans. (Associated Press)

EXXON MOBIL:
• The oil company hires a high-profile attorney to represent it amid a New York investigation over whether the company misled investors about climate risks. (Reuters)
• More documents reveal how much the company knew about climate change 35 years ago. (InsideClimate News)

CLEAN TECH: Funding research and development for clean-energy research traditionally has had bipartisan support, but it’s unclear how Republicans will react to President Obama’s commitments with business groups in Paris. (ClimateWire)

OIL AND GAS: A California utility will take at least three more months to plug a massive underground natural-gas leak that has been seeping since October and is making residents sick. (Reuters)

BIOFUELS: After the EPA’s announcement, Congressional lawmakers attempt to reform the Renewable Fuel Standard through their own amendments. (E&E Daily)

MICHIGAN: State lawmakers say an energy overhaul bill package won’t get passed this year. (MLive)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: The U.S. EPA begins a “wholesale attempt to lay a new foundation” for its Office of Civil Rights, which has faced criticism for the way it handles complaints. (Center for Public Integrity)

COMMENTARY:
• California has an opportunity to further increase its energy-efficiency clout with proposed legislation. (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy)
• The federal POWER Act stands out as a strong bipartisan initiative to encourage development of industrial energy efficiency. (Midwest Energy News)

Andy compiles the Midwest Energy News digest and was a journalism fellow for Midwest Energy News from 2014-2020. He is managing editor of MiBiz in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was formerly a reporter and editor at City Pulse, Lansing’s alternative newsweekly.

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