FirstEnergy turns off ​‘dark money’ spigot

OHIO: FirstEnergy cuts off ​“dark money” contributions as it discloses such spending under the terms of a deferred prosecution deal with the U.S. Justice Department in the fallout of the HB 6 scandal. (Cleveland.com)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Cities across the U.S. are developing innovative public charging solutions to improve accessibility for all electric vehicle drivers, including renters who may lack access to reliable charging. (Associated Press)
• The University of Toledo in Ohio installs six charging stations across its campus with help from a $90,000 state grant. (Toledo Blade)

SOLAR:
• Local officials plan to select a developer early next year to build a large, municipally owned solar project at Kansas City International Airport. (Flatland)
• Two tribes in northern Minnesota plan to train hundreds of workers for clean energy jobs as they each pursue solar energy developments. (Star Tribune)
• Ohio regulators block a 300 MW solar project based on local opposition, even though the project application was filed prior to a state law giving local governments more power to block utility-scale projects. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• Indiana county officials debate setback distances and other zoning requirements as they prepare to adopt utility-scale solar regulations. (The Republic)
• After a national solar installer filed for bankruptcy, several customers in Michigan are left with systems that don’t operate and thousands of dollars in debt. (WOOD-TV)
• A medical device manufacturer in western Michigan is building a new headquarters that will include both rooftop and ground-mounted solar panels totaling more than 1 MW of capacity to offset the facility’s power use. (MiBiz)

UTILITIES: Missouri environmental groups, consumer advocates and local government officials push back against natural gas utility Spire’s request to increase rates by $152 million. (Missouri Independent)

NUCLEAR: A retired Navy admiral challenging U.S. Rep. Chuck Grassley of Iowa this election says small-scale nuclear reactors should be deployed to meet U.S. electricity needs. (Radio Iowa)

WIND: No injuries were reported after a wind turbine blade caught fire in Iowa. (KWWL)

OIL & GAS:
• Michigan’s seven Republican members in Congress urge Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to detail any Biden administration plans to increase domestic oil and gas production. (Detroit News)
• A recent tax increase on North Dakota oil drillers triggered by high prices is expected to revert back to a lower level as prices drop. (Associated Press)

COMMENTARY: The Illinois Citizens Utility Board has proposed adding a consumer representative with expertise in clean energy development to the board of grid operator PJM. (Utility Dive)