
OHIO: A jury convicts former House Speaker Larry Householder and a GOP lobbyist of taking part in a $60 million bribery scheme to pass a $1.3 billion bailout of two nuclear plants owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary. (Cleveland.com)
ALSO:
• Experts say the case exposed the extent to which political contributions and dark money organizations influence Ohio politics. (Energy News Network / Eye on Ohio)
• Other legal experts say Householder erred in the case by testifying and opening contradictions in his testimony for prosecutors. (Cleveland.com)
• “I respect their decision but I don’t agree with it,” Householder told reporters upon leaving the courthouse. (Spectrum News)
Last chance!
The Energy News Network wants to hear your thoughts so we can improve this newsletter, our news coverage and all of our products. Help us out by taking this survey. The survey closes at midnight tonight.
EFFICIENCY: Missouri lawmakers advance legislation that would place limits on residential building energy codes and potentially prohibit St. Louis-area municipalities from enforcing local ordinances. (NextSTL)
SOLAR:
• Minnesota regulators approve plans for a $256 million solar project that faces opposition from landowners for occupying prime farmland. (Star Tribune)
• Electronics manufacturer Foxconn is partnering with We Energies on a 2,000-panel solar project in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Public Radio)
POLITICS:
• A federal judge will not allow the release of secret recordings that formed the backbone of prosecutors’ case against four people involved in an alleged corruption scheme with ComEd. (WBEZ)
• Illinois Republicans introduce legislation aimed at preventing corruption scandals similar to the case involving ComEd and former House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Center Square)
PIPELINES:
• TC Energy says Keystone pipeline oil flows will not change after federal regulators ordered the company to reduce pressure on the pipeline following a 13,000-barrel spill late last year. (Reuters)
• A Nebraska county board raises concerns about landfilling contaminated soil and other waste from the Keystone pipeline spill. (KPVI)
WIND: The operator of a 400-foot wind turbine that collapsed in Wisconsin in January has still not said what caused the incident. (Journal Sentinel)
UTILITIES: Kansas’ attorney general sues a natural gas marketing company over alleged market manipulation stemming from a February 2021 winter storm that resulted in $50 million in profit for the company. (Public Radio Tulsa)
HYDROELECTRIC: An Illinois lawmaker introduces legislation promoting hydropower as a renewable energy source. (Country Herald)
Check out our job board!
Looking for a clean energy job, or want to spread the word about your open position? Check out our new job listings board! Listings are also included in our weekly newsletter.
BIOFUELS: The University of Wisconsin partners with a startup company to produce carbon-neutral synthetic diesel that’s converted from cow manure. (Badger Herald)
COMMENTARY:
• A columnist says the Ohio power plant bailout convictions are “justice at work,” but the state has work to do to address a “rampant culture of pay-to-play corruption.” (Ohio Capital Journal)
• An editorial board says Minnesota regulators should be skeptical of Xcel Energy’s proposal to charge ratepayers nearly $200 million to build an electric vehicle charging network. (Star Tribune)
More from the Energy News Network: Midwest | Southeast | Northeast | West