North Carolina says it wants to be in the energy business and has been drafting industry-friendly legislation to help its cause. “Womack and MEC members have spent close to two years creating regulations to govern the drilling industry. Members feel a bill filed during the first week of session supports their efforts but will require them to make some changes.” [TWC News]

Renewable energy sources have made significant penetration into the Kansas energy mix in recent years and renewable energy supporters have thus far successfully prevented efforts to roll back renewable portfolio standards that require utilities to generate 20% of their power from renewables by 2020. But more efforts to scale the mandates back are underway. “For three years, Kansas lawmakers refused to eliminate the mandate, although opponents are inching closer to a repeal in a state where even Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, champions wind power.” [The Kansas City Star]