TRANSMISSION: Opponents of a proposed hydropower transmission line from Canada to Massachusetts call for an independent study to determine if the 145-mile line would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. (Energy News Network)
EFFICIENCY: Boston developers want to use the passive house building standard, which aims for near net-zero energy use, on skyscrapers. (Bisnow)
SOLAR: A workforce development nonprofit wants to install community solar arrays on a cluster of warehouse rooftops in the South Bronx. (Next City)
WIND:
• U.S. authorities approve the acquisition of Rhode Island-based Deepwater Wind by the Danish offshore wind developer Orsted. (Maritime Executive)
• The port city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, readies itself to be the launching point for the country’s first full-scale offshore wind farm. (WBUR)
STORAGE: A $20 million energy storage grant program launched last year in Massachusetts is beginning to show results. (Energy News Network)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• The city of Rochester, New York, adds more electric vehicles to its fleet and installs six public charging stations as part of a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent from 2010 levels by 2030. (WHAM)
• A Vermont solar company offers free electric vehicle charging stations with the purchase of a home solar system. (news release)
CLIMATE:
• Maine’s Democratic governor-elect Janet Mills is among a handful of upcoming governors promoting climate action, including a plan to cut the state’s greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2030. (Vox)
• Rhode Island’s General Assembly has more “environmental champions” after the midterm election, which could lead to stronger climate legislation, according to a clean water group. (ecoRI News)
GRID: The head of ISO New England shares thoughts on grid reliability, the “duck curve” and putting a price on carbon. (Vermont Business Magazine)
POLITICS:
• A pipeline opponent inspired to run for office when Sunoco began building a pipeline next to her home is elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
• A Rhode Island environmental group releases a report criticizing Gov. Gina Raimondo on climate change, energy, land use, pollution and more. (ecoRI News)
POWER PLANTS: Questions remain about whether a proposed natural gas and diesel power plant in northwest Rhode Island would be helpful or harmful. (ecoRI News)
PIPELINES: A new utility safe digging committee in Pennsylvania discusses how to reduce the 6,000 documented utility line hits that happen each year in the state. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
COMMENTARY: A Brooklyn-based nonprofit focused on the advancement of women in the renewable energy sector opens doors for women in solar and wind, says the group’s executive director. (Sierra)