Energy in America

The Latest: New lawsuits and a truce in sage grouse dispute

The Latest on sage grouse protections in Western U.S. states: (all times local): 2:45 p.m. Environmental groups have started a new court battle over protections for an imperiled bird on Western U.S. public lands but called a truce in a separate lawsuit involving the bird's smaller cousin.

Marathon bids big for Andeavor and a far-reaching fuel realm

With drivers beginning to take note of rising prices at the pump, Marathon Petroleum is buying the refiner and pipeline owner Andeavor for more than $23 billion, creating a refiner with an extensive reach across the U.S. Marathon, based in Findlay, Ohio, has operations concentrated in the East while Andeavor, formerly known as Tesoro, has operations in the West.

Business Highlights

__ US economic growth slowed to 2.3 percent pace in Q1 WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy slowed to a moderate 2.3 percent annual growth rate in the first quarter as consumer spending turned in the weakest performance in nearly five years.

Michigan regulators approve new DTE natural gas power plant

Michigan regulators on Friday cleared DTE Energy's request to build a near-$1 billion natural gas power plant, the first approval of such a large facility for a regulated utility in decades and a move that coincides with the retirement of coal-fired plants.

Wisconsin city returning to normal after oil refinery fire

Authorities have not allowed residents back in their homes after crews extinguished a smoky blaze at a northwestern Wisconsin refinery where an explosion injured at least 11 people and forced most of the city of Superior to evacuate.