Large-scale investments in gas and solar energy receive approval from Missouri's regulatory bodies.

In energy news this week, several significant developments have taken place.

Vistra, a leading energy company, has agreed to pay $38 million to settle a federal inquiry into price manipulation in MISO's capacity auction a decade ago. The settlement comes as a response to allegations that the company may have engaged in unlawful practices in the energy market. (Source: RTO Insider)

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has announced plans for a coal lease sale, providing winning bidders access to millions of tons of coal reserves at a North Dakota mine. This move is part of the administration's ongoing efforts to support the coal industry. (Source: E&E News)

In the realm of renewable energy, Canary Media has published a commentary by Clare Fieseler discussing the end of offshore wind leasing under the Trump administration. The piece highlights the potential impact of this decision on the future of offshore wind energy. (Source: New from Canary)

Elsewhere, a pair of utilities are partnering to build and operate a $10 million gas pipeline to serve a fuel cell facility that will power an Ohio data center. The companies involved in this project are often leading energy firms like Duke Energy and FirstEnergy, though specific partners can vary depending on the project. (Source: Data Center Dynamics)

In a separate development, North Dakota mineral owners claim that oil companies are unfairly withholding hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties. State officials have not taken action to protect private mineral owners, sparking concerns about fair business practices in the energy sector. (Source: ProPublica/North Dakota Monitor)

General Motors is pursuing energy storage applications for its electric vehicle batteries to find new revenue streams amid slower-than-expected demand for EVs. (Source: Detroit Free Press)

Congressional Democrats are attempting to get Republicans to support their latest effort to terminate President Trump's energy emergency, which they blame for rising electricity prices. (Source: E&E News)

Missouri regulators have approved Evergy's request to build three natural gas plants and two solar projects as part of a more than $2.75 billion infrastructure plan. (Source: Kansas Reflector)

University of Wisconsin researchers suggest that the Great Lakes, where states handle leases and not the federal government, still present an untapped opportunity for offshore wind power. (Source: Ohio Capital Journal)

Canary Media has also published commentaries discussing the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to weaken its own regulatory power and a plan by Los Angeles to stop copper thieves using solar-powered streetlights. (Source: New from Canary)

Michigan environmental groups have accused Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of replacing a clean energy ally on the state's utility regulatory board due to concerns from investor-owned utility DTE Energy. (Source: The Guardian)

Xcel Energy will switch to cell phone alerts from outdoor sirens to notify the public about potential nuclear plant emergencies, according to executives. (Source: MPR News)

Lastly, Canary Media has published several commentaries, including one by Alison F. Takemura discussing the halt of building code updates in California and its impact on electrification. (Source: New from Canary)

In a local development, Chicago suburb Oak Park, which was the first Midwest municipality to pass an ordinance banning natural gas hookups, is facing an ongoing legal challenge by building trades and real estate groups. (Source: Chicago Sun-Times)

On a positive note, a Michigan agency helped a Detroit church in a disadvantaged neighborhood secure a $13,000 reimbursement for a solar project that has significantly reduced its monthly electric bill. (Source: MLive)