Northeast Energy News

New Jersey approves largest U.S. offshore wind farm

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OFFSHORE WIND: New Jersey selected the developer of a 1.1 GW offshore wind farm off its coast, with work expected to begin in 2022. (Asbury Park Press)

ALSO:
• The energy cost of the New Jersey project is significantly lower than estimates for other projects proposed along the East Coast. (NJ Spotlight)
• Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward Markey toured the former Brayton Point power plant site that is proposed to become an offshore wind hub. (Herald News)

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Northeast Energy News

Rhode Island rejects natural gas power plant

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POWER PLANTS: Rhode Island regulators yesterday rejected a $1 billion natural gas plant first proposed four years ago, saying its power generation is not needed. (Providence Journal)

ALSO: Concerns about climate change are being raised as Maryland regulators have approved the conversion of a closed coal power plant to natural gas. (Baltimore Sun)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join SECC’s CEO Patty Durand, Direct Energy’s VP Jim Steffes and EPRI’s VP Mark McGranaghan at the Smart Home Energy Management Systems Conference, July 17-18 in Boston. A two-day event centered on finding solutions to stay competitive within the fast-changing HEMS supply chains & customers’ demand.***

OIL & GAS:
• The second fire in a month has broken out at a Philadelphia oil refinery that is a major gasoline supplier on the East Coast. (Bloomberg)
• A community forum in western Pennsylvania discussed the need for more study to investigate possible links between a rare cancer and shale gas drilling in the region.

Northeast Energy News

Labor provisions pulled from New York climate bill

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CLIMATE CHANGE:
• The New York Senate passed sweeping climate legislation Wednesday and the Assembly was expected to follow suit in the waning hours of the legislative session. (Greentech Media)
• Last-minute changes to the bill eliminated labor protections and social justice provisions included in earlier versions. (Grist)

EMISSIONS: Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the state will sue the Trump administration over the rollback of the Clean Power Plan that was announced on Wednesday. (CT Mirror)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join SECC’s CEO Patty Durand, Direct Energy’s VP Jim Steffes and EPRI’s VP Mark McGranaghan at the Smart Home Energy Management Systems Conference, July 17-18 in Boston. A two-day event centered on finding solutions to stay competitive within the fast-changing HEMS supply chains & customers’ demand.***

PIPELINES: Two pipeline safety bills that improve interactions between operators and local officials were passed by a Pennsylvania Senate committee.

Northeast Energy News

Pennsylvania governor eyes joining regional cap-and-trade compact

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EMISSIONS: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed the state join a regional carbon cap-and-trade compact as part of an overall emissions reduction plan. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY: A report says that compliance with New York City’s new efficiency standards could cost building owners $20 billion over the next decade. (Crain’s New York Business)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join SECC’s CEO Patty Durand, Direct Energy’s VP Jim Steffes and EPRI’s VP Mark McGranaghan at the Smart Home Energy Management Systems Conference, July 17-18 in Boston. A two-day event centered on finding solutions to stay competitive within the fast-changing HEMS supply chains & customers’ demand.***

NUCLEAR:
• Decades after its closure, the Maine Yankee nuclear power plant remains a storage site for its spent fuel. (Lohud.com)
• Communities near the closed Oyster Creek power plant in New Jersey are preparing for a protracted process of dismantling and securing the site.

Northeast Energy News

New York closing in on aggressive climate legislation

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CLIMATE CHANGE: New York legislators and Gov. Andrew Cuomo are close to a deal that would codify the state goal to reduce emissions 85% by 2050. (Times Union)

FRACKING: Hundreds of organizations and individuals have asked Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to investigate possible links between shale gas development and  childhood cancers. (Post-Gazette)

***SPONSORED LINK: Join SECC’s CEO Patty Durand, Direct Energy’s VP Jim Steffes and EPRI’s VP Mark McGranaghan at the Smart Home Energy Management Systems Conference, July 17-18 in Boston. A two-day event centered on finding solutions to stay competitive within the fast-changing HEMS supply chains & customers’ demand.***

EMISSIONS: New Jersey has issued regulations that help clear the path for its reentry into a regional greenhouse gas reductions compact. (NJ Spotlight)

PIPELINES:
• Williams Co.