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.

Bill is a freelance journalist based outside Albany, New York. As a former New England correspondent for RTO Insider, he has written about energy for newspapers, magazines and other publications for more than 20 years. He has an extensive career in trade publications and newspapers, mostly focused on the utility sector, covering such issues as restructuring, renewable energy and consumer affairs. Bill covers Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire and also compiles the Northeast Energy News daily email digest.