Energy news in brief

** Arkansas utility regulators are expected to evaluate three proposed solar farms this summer, including one that has a battery storage plan.

** While Murray Energy’s bankruptcy case could soon wrap up, it doesn’t resolve questions about how long the struggling coal industry can last with competition from natural gas and renewables.

** An Australian company with a troubled Kentucky coal mine sues the U.S. government because it didn’t get money offered to other companies impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

**  A new law in Florida will expand electric vehicle charging stations along state highways, requiring state officials to send the governor and lawmakers a new plan by July 1.

** Wisconsin regulators deny a request by landowners to stop construction of a 65 MW wind project near the state’s southern border.

** Following the botched demolition of a former coal plant in Chicago, a city alderman wants the power to revoke tax incentives from developers who put residents’ health and safety at risk.

** U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota introduces a bill to provide additional certainty for ethanol producers looking to produce sanitizer.

** Colorado lawmakers significantly pare back a bill to remove a state tax exemption for energy companies in order to gain support from Gov. Jared Polis and business interests.

** A University of Wyoming economist says few experts believe the state’s already declining energy sector will return to pre-coronavirus crisis production rates any time soon.

** A media investigation finds that former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper accepted significant donations from the oil and gas industry to fund initiatives and positions in his office.

** ONEOK, Inc. will participate in the J.P. Morgan Energy, Power and Renewables Virtual Conference June 16-17, 2020. Investor materials will be accessible on ONEOK’s ebsite, www.oneok.com, beginning at 8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (7 a.m. Central Daylight Time) on June 16, 2020.