POLITICS: Pennsylvania is one of three states where a Democratic flip of the state legislature would have profound effects on energy and climate policy. (E&E News)

ALSO: With the campaign drawing to a close, President Trump continues to focus on Pennsylvania, repeating the false claim that Joe Biden supports a ban on fracking. (Washington Post)

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PIPELINES: A pipeline developer and its contractor agree to pay $800,000 in fnes and restoration costs for damage to a Massachusetts state forest during construction in 2017. (Masslive)

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Two losing developers in Maine’s solicitation for clean energy projects say the selection process was flawed and ask state regulators to examine the financials of some contract winners. (Portland Press Herald)

SOLAR:
• Despite a Maryland law passed to encourage large-scale renewable energy projects, solar developers say siting controversies continue to delay projects and put the goals in jeopardy. (Bay Journal)
• A solar advocate in southwestern Pennsylvania lobbies for inclusion of community solar power in her county as the state legislature moves closer to enacting legislation allowing it. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

WIND: Advocates say offshore wind development will drive a renaissance in U.S. shipbuilding. (E&E News)

UTILITIES:
• More than 200,000 customers in southwestern Pennsylvania are behind in their utility bills as a moratorium on shutoffs expires on Nov. 9, though many are eligible for assistance. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Connecticut regulators decline to extend a moratorium on utility shut-offs and instead opt to rely on existing programs to assist customers. (CT Examiner)
• FirstEnergy spins off its western Pennsylvania electric transmission business, which may give it a faster path to raise rates to recover costs incurred from system upgrades. (TribLIVE)

COMMENTARY:
• An academic and an environmentalist laud Pennsylvania colleges for being cited as national leaders among colleges and universities for adopting clean energy and promoting electric vehicles. (Morning Call)
• A libertarian think tank says a 1920 maritime protectionism law will be a significant barrier to offshore wind development. (Cato Institute)

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.