UTILITIES: Exelon will spin off its power generation assets into a new company separate from its electric distribution utilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

ALSO:
• Connecticut regulators object to a petition by utility companies to end the pandemic-related moratorium on customer shutoffs until more federal relief programs are in place. (Associated Press)
• A former Central Maine Power and ISO New England executive was among five board members of the Texas grid operator who resigned in the wake of that state’s recent blackouts. (Portland Press Herald)

PIPELINES: Members of Massachusetts’ congressional delegation write to federal regulators asking them to rescind approval of a compressor station in environmental justice communities. (Patriot Ledger)

EFFICIENCY: Neighbors along a Vermont Gas pipeline route say the company never invested part of its claimed $200 million savings in energy efficiency as part of its approval won from regulators. (VT Digger)

FOSSIL FUELS: If voters in a Vermont city pass a ballot question to impose a fee on fossil fuels in buildings the measure would need to go to the legislature in a multi-step approval process. (WCAX)

CLEAN ENERGY: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy names members of the state Green Economy Council charged with promoting the transition to clean energy, developing a diverse workforce and promoting environmental justice. (news release) 

MICROGRIDS: Green Mountain Power will soon break ground on a microgrid powered by an already constructed 4.9 MW solar array without a fossil fuel backup energy source. (VermontBiz)

SOLAR:
• A solar cooperative emerges outside Pittsburgh to provide residents with options for clean energy in areas difficult to host panels on individual homes. (PublicSource)
• A New Jersey town grants a lease at former airport property for a 4.5 MW community solar project. (Solar Builder)

COMMENTARY:
• A municipal electric company in Vermont says biomass power plays an important role in its emissions program while providing an outlet for forestry wastes from an important industry. (VT Digger)
• A commentator says Pennsylvania had a “near-miss” when consumer advocates beat back a Texas-style regulatory model proposal that is seen as contributing to a market failure that worsened the recent blackouts. (Pennsylvania Capital Star)

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.