Northeast Energy News

Long Island’s offshore wind transmission price tag could be $1.5 billion

By

OFFSHORE WIND: The Long Island Power Authority says transmission upgrades needed to accommodate large offshore wind projects could cost up to $1.5 billion. (Newsday)

ALSO:
• Port of Albany operators expect to present plans for an offshore wind turbine manufacturing facility to town planners by June. (Albany Times Union)
• The developer of an offshore wind project in New Jersey will begin training of members of six labor unions in anticipation of construction starting in 2024. (NBC Philadelphia)
• A New Hampshire forum discusses how the state can participate with neighboring states in a regional approach to offshore wind development. (Foster’s Daily Democrat)

CLIMATE: Annapolis, Maryland files a lawsuit against large oil companies in state court alleging they concealed knowledge and risks associated with climate change.

Northeast Energy News

Anti-transmission referendum qualifies for Maine ballot

By

TRANSMISSION: The Maine Secretary of State validates enough signatures to put an anti-transmission line referendum on the fall ballot sought by opponents of a Central Maine Power project. (Bangor Daily News)

ALSO: A Massachusetts siting board approves a substation in a Boston neighborhood that environmental justice advocates say is already burdened by energy infrastructure. (WBUR)

CLIMATE:
• A Maryland legislative committee approves a sweeping climate bill that would require the state to reduce emissions 60% by 2030. (Maryland Matters)
• A new report says flood damage costs New Jersey homeowners an average of $4,400, which is expected to rise as climate change increases the number of storms. (NJ Spotlight)
• Pennsylvania farmers experiment with different practices and new varieties as they cope with extreme weather events attributed to climate change. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

HEATING: Maine offers bonus rebates to small towns to encourage adoption of heat pumps in municipal buildings.

Northeast Energy News

Maryland releases long-awaited climate plan

By

CLIMATE: Maryland releases a climate action plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2045,14 months later than directed by the legislature. (Maryland Matters)

ALSO: A new report says climate-related coastal flooding in Massachusetts is expected to surge with costs estimated to rise 36%. (Boston Globe) 

EMISSIONS:
• Recent reports suggest Rhode Island is significantly underreporting its emissions, putting its state targets at risk. (ecoRI)
• Advocates say draft regulations to put a price on carbon in Pennsylvania devalue the benefits of combined heat and power and would instead disadvantage them compared to higher emitting technologies. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

GRID: Federal regulators end a proceeding that delayed capacity auctions in PJM that critics say hampered state programs to integrate renewable resources.

Northeast Energy News

Pennsylvania pipeline protest intimidation case falls apart

By

PIPELINES: A criminal case involving alleged intimidation of pipeline protesters by private security along the Mariner East project in Pennsylvania is likely to end with no convictions. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

WASTE-TO-ENERGY: An activist opposed to a trash-burning plant in Baltimore with a recently extended contract wants to “starve the beast” by depriving material with greater recycling and composting. (Inside Climate News)

OFFSHORE WIND:
• Twenty-five members of the New York and New Jersey congressional delegations urge the federal office overseeing offshore wind development to “jump-start” the industry with approval of lease areas off their states’ coasts. (East Hampton Star)
• Developers of the Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm in New Jersey sign an agreement with six unions to use organized labor for the project. (Offshore Engineer)

FRACKING: Pennsylvania will now allow public comment on 49 fracking wastewater wells after permits were issued without input.

Northeast Energy News

Boston University turns to Midwest wind to cut climate impact

By

WIND: Boston University buys all of its electricity from a South Dakota wind farm, reasoning that it has a greater climate impact than buying locally sourced renewable energy. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• A Massachusetts-based transmission developer and a Danish consultancy say they will jointly bid on a proposed project to connect New Jersey offshore wind farms to the PJM grid. (North American Windpower)
• A New York study identifies income opportunities for fishermen and other mariners created by offshore wind. (reNEWS)

CLIMATE:
• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont introduces a suite of climate bills to address climate change mitigation, energy efficiency and transportation. (news release)
• A bill introduced in Maryland encourages schools to take more direct actions to reduce their climate impacts.