Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) confirmed the Republican-controlled senate will first consider a bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline when they begin work next year. However, the legislation would still need to get by the president’s desk and he may veto it. “We’ll be starting next year with a job-creating bill that enjoys significant bipartisan support,” he [McConnell] said. “The first item up in the new Senate will be the Keystone XL pipeline.” [The Hill]

When Iraq announced plans several years ago to rejuvenate its embattled oil industry boosting output beyond 12 million barrels per day, it started a flurry of speculation regarding the feasibility of that lofty goal. Given current oil market fundamentals and Iraq’s battle with ISIS militants, the government is now saying the country’s oil production targets may need to be reevaluated. [Bloomberg via Fuel Fix]

Solar City is investing $16 million in Off Grid Electric, a firm that installs solar systems with integrated storage on homes in Africa and allows people to access the power for a modest fee. “Off Grid Solar customers pay an initial $6 installation fee for a self-sustaining solar system on their houses — panels, lithium batteries, super-efficient lights, and meters. The panels collect energy and store it in the batteries. To use the system, the customer sends Off Grid a mobile payment and gets a passcode. They can then enter the code on their meter and unlock their energy. Off Grid considers their customers’ to be long-term partners.” [Cleantechnica]