Wind industry seeks clarity on tax credit language

WIND: The wind industry awaits guidance from federal tax experts on what exactly it means to ​“begin construction” to qualify for the renewed production tax credit, and a closed wind turbine factory in North Dakota is retooled to produce containers. (Politico, Fargo Forum)

BIOMASS: Two northern Minnesota communities, out of reach of natural gas pipelines but with ​“biomass coming out of our ears,” consider central heating plants powered by forest waste. (Midwest Energy News)

OHIO: Ohio’s chief utility regulator is criticized for his Twitter activity, in which he frequently promotes articles questioning climate change and dismissing renewable energy. (Columbus Dispatch)

CLIMATE: Midwest advocates warn of ​“unpleasant quality of life changes” as the region warms. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)

POLITICS: A Harvard political scientist blames the demise of cap-and-trade legislation in 2010 on national environmental groups, saying they underestimated political opposition to climate action. Climate activist Bill McKibben calls the paper ​“a real service.” (The Guardian, Grist)

OIL: The boom in U.S. oil production changes the market dynamics for Canada’s oil sands, and scientists warn President Obama that approving the Keystone XL pipeline would ​“undermine” his climate legacy. (Toronto Star, The Hill)

NORTH DAKOTA: Lawmakers consider a suite of tax breaks for the oil industry, including an exemption intended to cut natural gas flaring; the state’s Chamber of Commerce opposes a bill that would exempt oil destined for in-state refineries from extraction taxes. (Grand Forks Herald)

FRAC SAND: Minnesota lawmakers call for a state study of the frac sand industry, with a temporary moratorium on mining activity until it is completed. (Rochester Post-Bulletin)

BIOFUELS: The airline industry struggles to find a low-carbon alternative. (Greenwire)

EFFICIENCY: An Ohio school district receives nearly $100,000 in rebates from AEP after performing extensive efficiency upgrades. (Marietta Times)

COMMENTARY: The Washington Post calls for a carbon tax, and is nuclear power the best way to fight climate change? (Washington Post, Slate)