SOLAR: Federal regulators unanimously dismiss a petition by a New England dark money group seeking to undermine state solar net-metering programs. (Greentech Media)
ALSO: A western Maryland county approves a nearly 20 MW solar farm on 113 acres at a former surface mining site. (Times-News)
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CLIMATE: A climate working group in Maine makes five recommendations on meeting the state’s goals that would require a “power sector transformation.” (Energy News Network)
TRANSMISSION: Two Texas companies with natural gas power plants in Maine will spend $6 million on televisions ads to support a ballot referendum opposing a transmission line from Canada. (Bangor Daily News)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• New York regulators approve a $700 million electric vehicle incentive program to encourage utilities to build charging station infrastructure that also includes $206 million dedicated to low-income areas. (E&E News, subscription required)
• Six electric vehicle charging stations are installed at county government facilities in northern Maryland. (Baltimore Sun)
OIL & GAS: Shell stops adding workers at its western Pennsylvania cracker plant construction site as more workers test positive for coronavirus. (Pittsburgh Business Times, subscription required)
OFFSHORE WIND: Orsted considers two sites in Delaware to connect its Maryland offshore wind farm to land after it dropped its first choice due to concerns over damage to wetlands. (Coastal Point)
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DIVESTMENT: Rutgers University in New Jersey says it is considering divesting fossil fuel investments that account for about 6% of its endowment. (NorthJersey.com)
COMMENTARY:
• A former head of Pennsylvania’s environmental department defends the agency and his tenure that were criticized in a grand jury report that blasted state regulation of the fracking industry. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• A solar developer says commercial rooftops present a major opportunity for New Jersey to expand its clean energy output to meet its climate goals. (NJ Spotlight)
• A columnist says a 100% renewable energy proposal is a better approach for Massachusetts as a competing “net-zero” law still opens the door to additional fossil fuel generation and infrastructure. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)