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)