Energy outfit in the past controlling Midwestern state (3,2,3,2)
I believe the answer is:
get up and go
'energy' is the definition.
(I know that energy can be written as get-up-and-go)
'outfit in the past controlling midwestern state' is the wordplay.
'outfit' becomes 'getup' (synonyms).
'in the past' becomes 'ago' (three years ago means three years in the past).
'controlling' is an insertion indicator.
'midwestern state' becomes 'ND' (state in mid west of the USA).
'ago' enclosing 'nd' is 'andgo'.
'getup'+'andgo'='GET-UP-AND-GO'
(Other definitions for get up and go that I've seen before include "Vim" , "enthusiasm" , "don't bother with breakfast?" , "walk out" , "Drive" .)