Survey finds Americans don’t know much about energy

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SURVEY SAYS: A new poll finds that despite a massive shift in the country’s energy economy, most Americans are disengaged from the debate. (Politico)

ELECTRIC CARS: A study finds electric cars are less disruptive to the grid than previously anticipated. (ClimateWire)

***SPONSORED LINK: Experts discuss the changes in the energy industry at Total Energy USA, Nov. 19-21 in Houston. Speakers such as Roger Sant discuss their outlook on the next 40 years of energy policy. ***

COAL: We Energies considers selling an Upper Peninsula coal plant, an Illinois coal mine will shut down, and Ohio-based Murray Energy will buy five mines in West Virginia. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Associated Press, Reuters)

ALSO: Opponents of an Indiana coal gasification plant seek release of documents related to construction cost overruns. (SNL)

PIPELINES: Enbridge files for permission to build a new pipeline across northern Minnesota, pipeline incidents in Canada have doubled over the past decade, and FERC testifies against a bill co-sponsored by Michigan Rep. Fred Upton that would speed up permitting for trans-border pipelines. (Minnesota Public Radio, CBC News, The Hill)

FRACKING: A new report says shale-related investment tops $12 billion in Ohio as Gov. John Kasich tours new natural gas processing facilities, an analysis finds 15 million Americans live within a mile of an oil or gas well, and fracking opponents in an Ohio town will try again to get a drilling ban on the ballot. (Columbus Business First, Columbus Dispatch, Wall Street Journal, Athens Messenger)

EPA: Republican lawmakers draft a plan to scale back EPA carbon rules, while a new poll finds a large majority of voters in swing states support climate regulations. (The Hill)

SOLAR: Work begins on a 2 MW solar array at the Toledo Zoo, and a Sandusky law firm takes advantage of a roof repair job to install solar panels. (Toledo Blade)

WIND: Nebraska lawmakers are again looking at policies to make their state more attractive to wind energy developers. (Associated Press)

ETHANOL: Corn growers and independent gas stations team up to promote E15 in Minnesota. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

***SPONSORED LINK: Clean Energy Trust seeks the Midwest’s best researchers, entrepreneurs and students with innovative ideas. Apply now for the $500,000 2014 Clean Energy Challenge. Applications due: Jan 8. Final pitch in Chicago: April 3. ***

TRANSPORTATION: A Michigan retailer says it has one of the cleanest diesel fleets in North America, cutting its carbon emissions by 60 percent. (CBS Detroit)

COMMENTARY: Why petroleum coke deserves more attention, and ​“wind turbine syndrome” is very likely all in your head. (Crain’s Detroit Business, Popular Science)