CLIMATE: Today’s arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court on Baltimore’s climate suit against major oil companies could become a national test case if the justices agree to consider whether states can properly hear such cases. (Inside Climate News)
ALSO:
• Activists and political leaders across Massachusetts express frustration with Gov. Charlie Baker for his veto of a comprehensive climate roadmap bill. (WAMC, Patriot-Ledger)
• Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney says the city aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
TRANSMISSION:
• A federal appeals court grants a temporary injunction to halt construction of a Maine power line from Canada just hours after the project receives its final permit from the U.S. Energy Department. (WBUR)
• The owner of New York City’s largest power plant rebrands itself and is developing a 1,200 MW transmission line to import wind and solar power from upstate. (Greentech Media)
OFFSHORE WIND:
• New York’s award of two offshore wind contracts last week would double the number of turbines off Long Island to about 170. (Newsday)
• Promoters of the Vineyard Wind project off Cape Cod hope its permitting woes are over as the Biden administration takes over. (WBUR)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Vermont has the highest number of electric vehicle charging stations per capita in the U.S. with 114 per 100,000 residents. (Green Car Congress)
• New Jersey approves a $16 million pilot program to help businesses and institutions replace diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles in environmental justice communities. (NJ Spotlight)
SOLAR:
• Some Pennsylvania residents in areas slated for solar project express fears about alleged health effects from the panels as officials work to counter misinformation. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
• New guidance on the proper siting of solar development is released by Maine agricultural officials. (CentralMaine.com)
PIPELINES: A Pennsylvania state court judge tosses bribery and other counts against a private security firm charged more than a year ago for hiring constables to police a pipeline construction site. (Daily Local News)
POLITICS: U.S. Commerce Secretary-designate and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo leaves a mixed legacy, including her support of a failed natural gas power plant, the first commercial offshore wind farm and various climate-friendly policies. (Providence Journal)
RENEWABLE ENERGY: A bill that would extend Delaware’s renewable portfolio standard from 2025 to 2040 heads to a legislative conference committee. (Delaware Public Media)
OIL & GAS: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf tells residents of a Pittsburgh suburb that he lacks authority to revoke a permit for an injection well for fracking wastewater. (Pittsburgh Business Times)
COMMENTARY: A smart meter software developer says New Jersey’s $1.5 billion smart meter rollout is required to transform the grid to enable the switch to clean energy. (NJ.com)