Meter Reading: Solar Energy Zones Take Root in the West, Silence on Climate Change Continues in Campaign, and More

Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages

Coal miners listen as US Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign event at the American Energy Corporation in Beallsville, Ohio, August 14, 2012.

It’s miner versus miner in Ohio coal war ads — “The back and forth over a rally for Mitt Romney at an Ohio coal mine took a fresh twist this week with the release of a new ad that seeks to clear the air on misunderstandings about the event.” — Politico

Obama campaign defends debate silence on climate change — “Environmentalists have pushed both Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney to address climate change in the debates, saying the summer’s drought, record temperatures, wildfires and storms make it a salient issue.” – The Hill

Renewable energy: US takes new tack with ‘solar energy zones’ — “The big idea: Seventeen solar-energy zones – about 285,000 acres of public lands in six western states – have been set aside as priority areas for commercial-scale solar development. ” – Christian Science Monitor