UTILITIES: Connecticut utility regulators propose a $30 million fine — the maximum penalty — against Eversource Energy, as well as a $2.1 million fine against United Illuminating, for what the commission characterized as poor storm preparation and recovery last summer. (Hartford Courant)

ALSO: New Jersey’s utility regulator orders an audit of Jersey Central Power & Light’s management operations, citing concerns related to poor storm recovery communications and an ongoing corruption scandal involving the utility’s parent company in Ohio. (NJ Spotlight)

OFFSHORE WIND: “Large numbers” of endangered northern right whales are congregating in and around areas leased by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to developers for New England offshore wind production. (National Fisherman)

SOLAR: Solar developers are flooding the mailboxes of northern New York farmers, seeking to lease their farmland for potential solar projects that likely will receive large state subsidies. (Times Union, subscription)

PROPANE: Rhode Island’s attorney general wants a full energy siting review of a proposed $20 million propane terminal expansion at the Port of Providence, arguing the plan is “inconsistent” with climate goals and “raises public safety concerns.” (Providence Journal)

WASTE-TO-ENERGY:
• Two Rhode Island legislators draft a bill that would ban new high-heat incineration facilities in the state after public ire over a possible medical waste-to-energy plant. (WPRI)
• Maine’s Municipal Review Committee defends its research of a waste plant’s prospective buyer following revelations that the company’s chief executive embellished his business’ history. (Bangor Daily News)

TRANSIT: New Jersey studies the feasibility of substituting the state’s gas tax with a mileage fee. (Patch.com)

EFFICIENCY: Maine-based volunteers make and distribute “window dressers” to keep the cold out of homes and improve a window’s energy efficiency, giving away up to 10 for free to low-income households. (Portsmouth Herald)

COMMENTARY:
• Massachusetts would reduce food waste bound for landfills and increase its carbon-free fuel supply by backing renewable natural gas production, argues a coalition of almost two dozen of the state’s larger business, employer, housing, and labor organizations. (Commonwealth Magazine)
• A state lawmaker and a state conservation advocate say that New Hampshire “can and must” ensure a balance of its “treasured” tourism-driving environment and renewable resource development. (Concord Monitor)
• A renewable energy non-profit leader wants the state legislature to approve a senate bill that would target 1 GW of additional energy storage capacity in the state by 2030. (CT Mirror)

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.