OIL & GAS: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs a bill prohibiting municipalities from enacting local bans on natural gas or propane usage, mirroring similar statewide efforts across the U.S. (Cincinnati Enquirer)

COAL: Environmental groups urge state regulators to block Ameren’s proposed permit that would govern how wastewater is discharged from Missouri’s largest coal plant into the Missouri River. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

UTILITIES:
• Ohio’s consumer advocate demands FirstEnergy share more information about the $4.3 million it paid to an attorney to end his consulting contract just before he became the state’s top utility regulator. (Associated Press)
• A consumer watchdog group wants federal regulators to recognize two activist investment firms as affiliates of Evergy that have influenced the utility’s decisions. (Kansas Reflector)
• Environmental and ratepayer advocates give Consumers Energy’s long-term plan mixed reviews, raising concerns over its planned gas plant purchases and ongoing coal-related costs. (MiBiz)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: The U.S. Justice Department has launched an inquiry into Lordstown Motors in the latest challenge to the Ohio-based electric vehicle startup. (Wall Street Journal, subscription)

PIPELINES:
• An Iowa pipeline activist is sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a single count of damaging an energy facility involving the Dakota Access pipeline. (Des Moines Register)
• The Keystone XL developer files claims against the U.S. government seeking to recover more than $15 billion after the Biden administration canceled a key permit for the pipeline. (The Hill)

POLICY: An Illinois coalition that includes business and labor groups say negotiations over a sweeping clean energy plan should address potentially increased electricity rates. (State Journal-Register)

SOLAR:
• Dubuque, Iowa officials are considering a pilot program that would help low- to moderate-income residents install solar panels on their homes. (Telegraph Herald)
• State regulators approve plans for a 75 MW solar project in southeastern Wisconsin. (Waunakee Tribune)
• Developer Invenergy is resuming plans for a 120 MW solar project in Indiana after a state appeals court rejected a civil lawsuit brought by project opponents. (Terre Haute Tribune-Star)

CARBON CAPTURE:
• The gas pipeline operator that was recently spun off from DTE Energy says carbon capture and storage is among top technologies it’s exploring to reduce emissions. (Bloomberg)
• North Dakota regulators will hold public hearings on a proposed 7-mile pipeline that will move carbon dioxide to a series of storage wells. (Bismarck Tribune)

CLEAN ENERGY: Climate activists and Democratic lawmakers push for a larger federal infrastructure bill that includes more clean energy spending to address climate change than the Senate’s bipartisan package. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY: Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says carbon capture and storage is “one of the most meaningful steps” that can be taken to limit greenhouse gas emissions. (Des Moines Register)