Clean Energy
This week’s Midwest Energy News: Wordplay, wind turbines, and wildlife
A FRACK BY ANY OTHER NAME: The oil and gas industry wants the media to retire the word “fracking,” which has been co-opted by environmental groups protesting the practice. (Associated Press)
STATE OF THE UNION: InsideClimate News examines where each of President Obama’s proposed energy policy points stands with Congress.
COAL: FirstEnergy announces it will shut down four coal plants in Ohio rather than upgrade them to meet new federal pollution standards. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
HIGHWIRE: Should red and blue states be colored green and black instead?
STATE OF THE UNION: President Obama adopts Republican calls for an “all of the above” energy policy, while saying the U.S. needs to “double down” on clean energy. (ClimateWire)
COAL: A new study looks at the impact of mercury from coal emissions on birds, bats and other wildlife. (New York Times)
SMART GRID: As smart meters roll out across the country, small, organized pockets of opposition are forming. But smart grid backers say the protests represent a small minority acting on unfounded fears. (Midwest Energy News)
KEYSTONE XL: An analysis by the Congressional Research Service says Congress may have constitutional authority to force permit approval for Keystone XL, and Rep. John Boehner says Republicans may attach such a measure to the next payroll tax cut extension bill. (The Hill)
CHEVY VOLT: The NHTSA has closed its investigation of the Chevy Volt, finding no safety defects and concluding the car poses no unusual risk of fire. (Los Angeles Times)
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