FirstEnergy

Former FirstEnergy executives Chuck Jones and Michael Dowling have been reindicted on state charges including bribery, conspiracy, and fraud. The case involves allegations of funneling millions through dark-money groups to influence Ohio elections and secure a $1.3 billion ratepayer bailout. A prior trial ended in a hung jury, and a retrial is scheduled for September.

Valley Link Transmission has released revised routes for a 765-kilovolt, 115-mile transmission line project from near Lynchburg to Culpeper County, developed by Dominion Energy, Transource, and FirstEnergy. The project aims to address energy demand in Northern Virginia and was identified by PJM as critical for grid reliability, but faces opposition over environmental and historical preservation concerns.

Residents in rural Virginia oppose the Valley Link transmission line project, arguing it prioritizes Northern Virginia data centers over local preservation. The 765-kilovolt line, led by Dominion Energy and Transource, would span 100 miles through Goochland and Louisa counties, sparking legal challenges over zoning inconsistencies.

Ten historic preservation and environmental groups in Virginia warn that the proposed Valley Link transmission line, a 115-mile high-voltage project by Dominion Energy, risks damaging natural resources and historical sites. The line, intended to carry power to Northern Virginia, faces opposition over its potential impact on tourism-driven landscapes and heritage areas.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the cases of two individuals who served prison time in Ohio’s largest utility corruption scandal. The scandal, linked to Ohio’s House Bill 6, involved FirstEnergy seeking over $1 billion in subsidies for its former nuclear plants.