EQUITY: A long-simmering fight against a proposed East Boston substation has inspired a push to change how Massachusetts’ energy facilities are sited, specifically how to include historically marginalized groups’ perspectives and require proactive outreach. (Energy News Network)

EFFICIENCY: Decades after incentivizing the refrigeration market to develop efficient apartment models, New York City’s public housing authority kicks off a contest to encourage innovation of cheaper, easier-to-install heat pumps. (Grist)

GAS: A malfunction at a New York gas station led to a 500-gallon oil spill yesterday, with some contaminated snow and gravel planned for removal. (Times Union)

UTILITIES:
Maine legislators discuss banning utilities from shutting off services to essential public operations after a utility almost cut power to a fire station last year due to a clerical error. (Sun Journal)
A Maine news outlet interviews new Central Maine Power chief executive Joe Purington about customer expectations, outage response and a controversial transmission line. (News Center Maine)

SOLAR:
Developers behind a proposed 500 MW solar farm in New York finish filing an application with the state’s renewable energy siting office. (news release)
Massachusetts signs a letter of intent with a contractor to develop a unique solar panel noise barrier project alongside a highway. (CBS Boston)
A solar panel installer discusses the difficulties of installing Long Island’s largest solar project during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Solar Power World)
T-Mobile invests in three community solar projects in New York totaling 17 MW; two of the three sites are still under construction. (news release)

WIND: In an annual speech, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signals his continued support for offshore wind plans and of a clean energy innovation fund. (Associated Press)

CLIMATE:
As the Northeast’s Transportation and Climate Initiative falls apart, the Vermont Climate Council considers joining the Western Climate Initiative, which includes California and the Canadian province of Québec. (RTO Insider, subscription)
A New Jersey news outlet hosts a roundtable conversation with politicians, environmental experts and water utility officials to discuss how the state will manage stormwater as the climate crisis leads to increased flooding. (NJ Spotlight)

GRID:
New England grid officials and observers discuss ISO-New England’s vulnerabilities and what it will take to secure the grid amid the energy sector decarbonization shift. (Boston Globe)
New York Power Authority says critical Long Island Sound transmission line repairs will begin this fall and end before 2024; the cable was part of numerous failures that forced the utility to buy pricier power during summer 2021. (Newsday)

UTILITY BILLS: Massachusetts heating oil and natural gas prices have surged year-over-year, leaving many residents worried about how to heat their homes this winter, according to a Boston community development group. (NBC Boston)

CLEAN ENERGY: An upcoming virtual event will highlight Pennsylvania policies and incentives that the Chester County Economic Development Council says will shape the state’s energy landscape. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
A Vermont contractor questions why the state doesn’t require any proof of training to build a house but mandates a week-long course to work with Efficiency Vermont via the Home Energy Loan initiative. (VT Digger)
Although Boston’s health care system expanded in the past decade while reducing its emissions by 18%, the sector has a long way to go to meet state goals, according to two sustainability nonprofits. (Commonwealth Magazine)

Bridget is a freelance reporter and newsletter writer based in the Washington, D.C., area. She compiles the Northeast Energy News digest. Bridget primarily writes about energy, conservation and the environment. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated from Emerson College in 2015 with a degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies. When she isn’t working on a story, she’s normally on a northern Maine lake or traveling abroad to practice her Spanish language skills.