Former CEO, top exec ​‘orchestrated’ FirstEnergy bribes, court docs say

OHIO: A sworn statement by FirstEnergy lawyers names former CEO Chuck Jones and another fired top executive as the ones who ​“devised and orchestrated” a $64 million bribery scheme in exchange for favorable legislation for the utility’s power plants. (Ohio Capital Journal)

BUILDINGS: Some of Minnesota’s largest cities seek permission from state lawmakers to adopt model national energy codes for larger commercial buildings to more aggressively tackle climate change. (Energy News Network)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• LG Energy Solution and Stellantis announce a $4.1 billion joint venture to produce electric vehicle battery components in Windsor, Ontario near Detroit. (Detroit News)
• Multiple Indiana utilities will use Volkswagen settlement funds to install 61 electric vehicle charging stations across the state. (WTWO)

OIL & GAS:
• Federal funding should help Ohio’s efforts to plug hundreds of orphan oil and gas wells, which are sometimes located in populated areas. (Cleveland.com)
• Spiking prices for frac sand, which is used for oil production, is a factor keeping U.S. oil producers from ramping up production, analysts say. (Business Insider)

PIPELINES:
• A natural gas pipeline owner sues three Indiana entities for eminent domain rights to reroute a pipeline ahead of planned road construction work. (Indianapolis Business Journal)
• Republicans and oil companies have used high gasoline prices to criticize attempts by President Biden and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to shut down pipeline projects. (Michigan Advance)
• Cleanup of a southwestern Illinois oil pipeline spill continues as nearby residents raise concerns about long-term health effects. (St. Louis Public Radio)

CLIMATE:
• Sixteen Michigan communities have set strong climate change and clean energy targets that often exceed state and federal goals, according to a new report. (MLive)
• Kansas City, Missouri seeks ​“to be one of, if not the most progressive and aggressive cities in the country when it comes to fighting climate change,” its city manager says. (KSHB)

SOLAR: ComEd opens enrollment in a 3.5 MW community solar project in a low-income Illinois community that the utility says could save subscribers about $1,000 a year. (PV Magazine)

WIND: Wind energy opponents’ claims that developments have brought financial hardship to Michigan communities is not supported by recent economic data. (Checks and Balances Project)

COMMENTARY: Reaching net zero carbon emissions in Michigan by 2050 will require hard work but also presents the ​“state and our businesses with new opportunities,” says the head of the Michigan Chemistry Council trade group. (Bridge Michigan)