SOLAR: While opponents of large solar projects often claim they will adversely affect property values, assessors say that’s rarely the case. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: Solar analysts in New Jersey say a permanent change to the state’s incentives for the sector should not differ much from temporary programs put in place before the coronavirus pandemic struck. (ROI-NJ.com)
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CLIMATE: Analysts say it is unlikely New Jersey can adequately respond to all of the challenges outlined in a recent report on the most severe impacts of climate change on the state. (NJ Spotlight)
OIL & GAS:
• The Pennsylvania Senate passes a revised petrochemical tax break bill that Gov. Tom Wolf will reportedly sign after his veto of a previous version. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
• Critics of Pennsylvania’s fracking industry don’t expect many meaningful reforms to result from a scathing grand jury report that castigated the close relationship between drillers and regulators. (Spotlight PA)
PIPELINES: An environmental group tells a federal court it should strike down a Trump administration rule to limit a state’s ability to regulate federally approved pipelines under the Clean Water Act. (E&E News, subscription required)
OFFSHORE WIND: Rhode Island coastal management officials and environmental groups support the proposed layout of the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project in Massachusetts. (ecoRI)
HEATING: A wood pellet distribution center will open in northeastern Vermont to expand the market for heating alternatives to fossil fuels. (VTDigger)
CLEAN ENERGY:
• While Massachusetts tried to keep clean energy development going during COVID-19, Connecticut took a more measured approach. (CT Mirror)
• UMass Lowell receives a $100,000 state grant for a feasibility study on fully converting to clean energy and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. (Lowell Sun)
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TRANSPORTATION: Maryland environmental officials approve $2.1 million of Volkswagen settlement money to assist five businesses to convert to cleaner fuel vehicles powered by electricity, propane and compressed natural gas. (NottinghamMD.com)
COMMENTARY: The Philadelphia Inquirer says remediation of a former refinery site should happen as quickly as possible as it transitions to a light industrial area over the next decade.