FirstEnergy avoids state criminal charges in $20 million settlement

UTILITIES: In an agreement with Ohio’s attorney general, FirstEnergy will avoid state criminal charges in the corruption scandal surrounding a 2019 bailout law by paying a $20 million settlement — a tiny fraction of the windfall the company continues to receive from ratepayers. (Ohio Capital Journal)

ALSO: Emails show a Missouri regulator urged Gov. Mike Parson to reject a rule that would have required utilities to provide zip code-level data on power shutoffs. (Energy and Policy Institute)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A Minnesota lawmaker says efforts to tax electric vehicles to meet gasoline tax shortfalls are premature: ​“We’re not at a point where electric cars are in any way, shape or form quote-unquote ​‘stealing’ from the gas tax.” (Politico)

EFFICIENCY: Developers of a data center planned in New Albany, Ohio, pledge it will use less energy and water than similar facilities, and will be powered by 100% renewable energy. (Columbus Dispatch, subscription)

NUCLEAR: Economic development officials in a Nebraska city are enthusiastic about being selected as a possible site for a small modular reactor. (Kearney Hub)

CLIMATE: Volunteers use heat monitors to help provide more detailed data on which parts of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area are heating up the fastest. (MPR News)