Energy news in brief

** The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments month in the long-running battle between developers a 605-mile long natural gas pipeline and environmental groups opposing it crossing the Appalachian Trail. Dominion Energy and Duke Energy still need a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and opponents contend the Forest Service does not have the authority to grant rights-of-way through lands crossed by the Appalachian Trail.

** Invenergy submits plans for a 200 MW solar project in southeastern Wisconsin.

** Experts say Wyoming’s natural gas industry is struggling with a tax rate on energy production that is not competitive with other states.

** The U.S. Interior Department has published new environmental studies in a bid to justify easing restrictions on energy development, mining, and grazing in Western states inhabited by declining sage grouse.

** An investigation reveals that Montana regulators have been spying on each other as the commission became increasingly dysfunctional in the past year.

** More than 50 Colorado environmental groups are demanding more aggressive climate action from Gov. Jared Polis’ administration.

** The BLM announces it’s pulling two controversial leases for potential oil and gas development at Utah’s Moab Sand Flats area.

** Two New Mexico counties are fighting a proposed wind energy transmission line, claiming the project could disrupt tourism.

** Watchdog group American Oversight sued the Energy Department, as well as the departments of Transportation and State, on Friday, seeking documents that could shed light on whether Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has wielded influence at the departments.