Closing arguments made in Householder trial

OHIO: In closing arguments, prosecutors tell jurors that common sense shows former House Speaker Larry Householder and his associates accepted $60 million to benefit a utility, while defense attorneys argue the government is lying. (Ohio Capital Journal)

EFFICIENCY: A new Madison, Wisconsin, ordinance will require owners of larger commercial buildings to report annual energy use and make efficiency ​“tuneups” every four years or face fines. (Wisconsin State Journal)

NUCLEAR: An Indiana House committee advances a bill that expands the size of a qualifying small modular nuclear facility as lawmakers seek to accommodate the nascent industry. (KPVI)

OIL & GAS: North Dakota lawmakers reject a request from landowners for more transparency and accountability from the oil industry over mineral rights leases, instead creating an intermediary to sort out payment issues. (Bismarck Tribune)

INVESTING: Kansas’ attorney general and state treasurer testify in support of legislation that would prevent public employee pension managers from using environmental, social and governance investment strategies. (Kansas Reflector)

CLEAN ENERGY: Minnesota lawmakers consider creating a state fund that would help leverage federal dollars to invest in various clean energy sectors. (WDIO)

PIPELINES: The Keystone pipeline owner says months of work remain to finish cleaning a Kansas oil spill from December that will cost a total of $500 million. (WBUR)

SOLAR:
• Central Michigan county officials unanimously approve permits for a 93-acre solar project despite nearby landowner opposition. (WLNS)
• Enbridge plans to bring a 20 MW solar project online next month that will offset the energy used at a Wisconsin oil pipeline pump station. (Portage Daily Register)

GRID:
• Michigan lawmakers plan hearings next week to probe utilities’ response to storms last week that caused outages for hundreds of thousands of customers. (Detroit News)
• Ann Arbor, Michigan, officials call on state lawmakers to adopt policies promoting more grid resilience, such as community solar programs and helping municipalities invest in renewable energy. (MLive)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: MidAmerican Energy adds an electric utility truck to its Quad-Cities fleet. (Quad-City Times)

BIOFUELS: The Republican attorneys general in Iowa and Nebraska intend to sue the U.S. EPA for delaying its decision on whether to allow year-round sales of higher-ethanol fuel blends. (The Hill)