Ohio governor: Energy law freeze a ​‘victory’ for renewables

OHIO: Gov. John Kasich says SB 310, which freezes the state’s clean-energy standards, is ​“a victory for those that care about renewables.” (WCPN)

ALSO: Renewable energy supporters say state Sen. Bill Seitz is ​“spiking the ball” with a letter claiming they would have been better off under a bill he proposed. (Columbus Business First)

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SOLAR: As battery prices fall, solar entrepreneurs are starting to return to storage as a key component of their business. (Greentech Media)

EFFICIENCY: Cable TV boxes are becoming the second-largest energy user in many homes after air conditioning. (Los Angeles Times)

FRACKING: Ohio landowners lose their appeal in a leasing dispute with Chesapeake energy, and anti-fracking protesters rally in southern Illinois. (Columbus Business First, Carbondale Southern)

TRANSMISSION: Farmers question the need for a planned Wisconsin transmission line: ​“What good is it for us, if it’s going somewhere else?” (The Country Today)

KANSAS: A Republican lawmaker says he was pressured by Koch Industries to vote for a bill to repeal the state’s renewable energy standard. (Topeka Capital-Journal)

COAL: A hearing is set for a challenge to an Illinois mining permit, and the nation’s oldest coal plants are ​“an aging fleet of clunkers.” (Carbondale Southern, Washington Post)

OIL: Experts say a State Department analysis on oil-train safety is ​“totally meaningless.” (McClatchy)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Milwaukee-based hotel chain is installing Tesla charging stations, and a low-speed electric taxi will shuttle visitors around Madison. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Channel 3000)

FRAC SAND: An appeals court rejects a challenge to a Minnesota frac sand mine. (Minnesota Public Radio)

COMMENTARY: Ohio’s clean energy laws put the state ​“ahead of the game” on reducing carbon emissions. (NRDC Switchboard)