OVERSIGHT: The Trump administration relaxes Obama-era rules for wastewater discharges from coal plants, and says the weaker standard will actually prevent more pollution. (E&E News)

ALSO:
• A U.S. Appeals court for the second time strikes down the Trump administration’s attempt to limit automaker penalties for not meeting fuel economy standards. (The Hill)
• Experts say four Trump administration rule changes could be quickly overturned if Democrats win the election. (E&E News)
• A photo obtained through a records request reveals the $43,000 phone booth former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt had installed in his office. (E&E News)

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POLITICS:
• Joe Biden refutes claims from President Trump that he is planning to ban fracking, as climate groups push the Democrat to exclude fossil fuel representatives from his transition team. (The Hill)
• Trump tells the New York Times his energy plan in a second term would be to “continue what we’re doing.” (E&E News)
• A study finds that there is little difference in U.S. oil output based on which political party is in charge. (Axios)
• A carbon-pricing proposal has become a point of contention in the U.S. Senate race between Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and incumbent Steve Daines. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)

OHIO: Ohio lawmakers begin the process of repealing HB 6, the power plant bailout law at the center of the state’s bribery scandal. (Cleveland.com)

WIND: Critics say New England’s grid operator missed an opportunity to plan for integrating offshore wind as it copes with maintaining reliability after a major power plant shuts down in 2024. (Energy News Network)

OIL & GAS:
• Colorado’s main oil and gas regulator would scrutinize well projects more closely when proposed near “disproportionately impacted communities” under a new environmental justice rule. (Denver Business Journal, subscription)
• The U.S. Forest Service proposes a new oil and gas rule that eliminates references to environmental laws and defers final oil leasing decisions to the Interior Department. (Bloomberg Law, subscription)

BIOGAS: With several major pipeline projects canceled and natural gas being banned in some cities, some energy companies are pushing to develop renewable natural gas from cow manure. (Houston Chronicle) 

NUCLEAR:
• Exelon estimates it will need up to $500 million — some of which could come from its parent company — to support cleanup efforts at a nuclear plant the company says will close without state subsidies. (Crain’s Chicago Business)
• Santee Cooper finalizes a settlement over its failed South Carolina nuclear project that will enable the utility to sell off leftover parts and materials. (Post and Courier)

PIPELINES:
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is allowing the Dakota Access pipeline to continue operating under the terms of a prior easement as it prepares a lengthy environmental review this week. (Bismarck Tribune)
• A federal judge rules in favor of a Permian Basin natural gas pipeline, saying opponents failed to demonstrate adequate future impacts. (Carlsbad Current-Argus)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Experts say managing charging loads and assessing the costs and benefits of electric vehicle deployment could still impede the sector’s growth. (Utility Dive)

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TRANSPORTATION: A new study finds large states with small populations such as Alaska and Wyoming use twice as much energy per capita for transportation than the national average. (Oil & Gas 360)

COMMENTARY: Advocates say President Trump’s regulatory rollbacks disregard both the law and science. (The Hill)

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.