SOLAR: A coalition of Massachusetts advocates say the state’s new solar incentive program is failing to meet climate and equity goals. (Solar Power World)

ALSO: The solar industry grows to a record size in the first quarter but stay-at-home orders in New York and other states are expected to decimate residential installations. (Greentech Media)

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POLLUTION: A study says low-income and minority communities around Pittsburgh suffer higher death rates from pollution caused by industrial sources including fracking in the region. (Environmental Health News) 

CLEAN ENERGY:
• A Maryland activist says solar and wind projects can lead to an economic recovery in the state as it phases out its reliance on fossil fuel. (WDVM)
• Princeton, New Jersey begins its community aggregation program with about 90% of its households powered in part by renewable energy. (Next City)

EFFICIENCY: Delaware updates its building efficiency codes as part of its statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (news release)

TRANSPORTATION: Federal officials award Vermont nearly $800,000 to cover 80% of the cost of four electric buses. (VermontBiz)

MICROGRIDS: Maryland selects 14 sites from its solicitation for microgrid projects that will receive funding for feasibility analyses, engineering and planning. (Microgrid Knowledge)

PIPELINES: Activists organize a bike ride along a pipeline route in Brooklyn neighborhoods that received no opportunity for public input. (Grist) 

UTILITIES: Union workers authorize a strike at New York’s Consolidated Edison when the current contract ends on June 20. (Reuters)

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TRANSMISSION: A virtual hearing for a 13-mile overhead transmission line on Cape Cod for reliability drew few public comments. (Cape Cod Times)

COMMENTARY:
• A Maryland environmental organization says a new approach is needed to confront climate change, one from convincing everyone of its reality to giving elected leaders specific tasks to address it. (Capital Gazette)
• The Massachusetts Farm Bureau says new solar siting regulations make adding projects to agricultural lands to help farms stay in business much more difficult. (CommonWealth Magazine)

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Bill Opalka

Bill is a freelance journalist based outside Albany, New York. As a former New England correspondent for RTO Insider, he has written about energy for newspapers, magazines and other publications for more than 20 years. He has an extensive career in trade publications and newspapers, mostly focused on the utility sector, covering such issues as restructuring, renewable energy and consumer affairs. Bill covers Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire and also compiles the Northeast Energy News daily email digest.