What’s next for former FirstEnergy execs

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Midwest Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

CORRUPTION TRIALS

• Two former FirstEnergy executives will face a retrial after a jury recently deadlocked over federal bribery charges for their alleged role in a corruption scheme with state lawmakers. (Canary Media)

• A Chicago federal appeals court will grant new trials for former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore and lobbyist Michael McClain after their convictions in a case alleging a conspiracy to bribe former House Speaker Michael Madigan. (Chicago Tribune)

COAL

• Indiana environmental and public health advocates say the Trump administration’s plan to roll back coal ash disposal regulations will negate the state’s progress on cleaning up legacy contamination. (Indianapolis Star)

NUCLEAR

• An Illinois law designed to subsidize nuclear plants when energy prices are low is now benefitting ComEd customers by providing bill credits as electricity prices increase. (Capitol News Illinois)

CLIMATE

• Despite little evidence that climate lawsuits pose a threat to Iowa farmers, state lawmakers still pass a bill to shield them from potential litigation, a move critics say is meant to benefit ethanol producers while discouraging climate investments. (Inside Climate News)

CLEAN ENERGY

• Michigan Republicans introduce legislation to repeal the state’s 2040 clean energy standards, claiming the 2023 law will lead to higher electricity prices. (MLive)

SOLAR

• Minnesota lawmakers pass a bipartisan bill to rename the state’s community solar program after slain former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who championed the program during her time in the legislature. (Axios)

• Minnesota lawmakers consider Democrat-backed legislation that would give local governments more power in designating priority farmland that could not be used for renewable energy development. (Ag Week)

• The developer looking to build major solar projects southwest of Chicago says the five gas-fired peaker plants it’s acquired over the past few years will help balance the grid as energy demand rises. (Chicago Tribune)

DATA CENTERS

• An Ohio Congress member introduces legislation that would require data centers to pay for any needed grid infrastructure, prohibit local officials from signing non-disclosure agreements, and study their facilities’ environmental impacts. (Ohio Capital Journal)

UTILITIES

• The Upper Sioux Community asks to pause its request for Xcel Energy to take over as its energy provider following a dispute with the tribe’s current utility over a solar project, noting the switch would be too costly. (West Central Tribune)

• U.S. utilities plan to spend $1.4 trillion on capital expenditures by 2030, driven by data centers and load growth, extreme weather protection, and aging infrastructure, according to a consumer group’s new report. (E&E News)

STORAGE

• Battery recycler Redwood Materials partners with Rivian to reuse the EV maker’s battery packs for onsite energy storage at its Illinois manufacturing plant. (Solar Power World)

NEW FROM CANARY

• This Ohio county put a ban on wind and solar. Will voters reverse it? — Kathiann M. Kowalski

• Vermont’s first neighborhood geothermal project prepares to break ground — Sarah Shemkus

• Stegra lands funding to complete world’s first major green-steel mill — Maria Gallucci

• Georgia Power will now let data centers bring their own clean energy — Jeff St. John