PIPELINES: A federal judge halts construction on the Keystone XL pipeline, saying the Trump administration failed to address climate and environmental concerns or offer a “reasoned explanation” for approving the permit. (CNN, New York Times)
ALSO:
• West Virginia regulators repeatedly cite the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines for environmental problems. (Charleston Gazette-Mail)
• The once-sleepy pipeline industry in Texas is now booming as companies plan to expand almost 10,000 miles of pipelines. (Houston Chronicle)
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WIND:
• A state-funded pilot program in Rhode Island aims to inspire kids to think about careers in the offshore wind industry. (Energy News Network)
• New York issues its first solicitation for offshore wind projects, inviting bids for an initial phase totaling at least 800 MW. (Associated Press, news release)
SOLAR: Stakeholders disagree on the best way to give lower income families access to New Jersey’s community solar program. (NJ Spotlight)
STORAGE: California regulators approve a plan by the state’s largest utility to build the two biggest battery systems in the world. (Greentech Media)
BUILDINGS: A new community of small homes near Tampa will run on solar power, have net-zero emissions, and be hurricane-proof. (Fast Company)
TRANSMISSION: Maine regulators tell developers their application to build a hydropower transmission line from Canada to Massachusetts is incomplete, further delaying the project. (Portland Press Herald)
NUCLEAR: Tests reveal radioactive groundwater exceeding safe drinking water standards at a South Carolina nuclear fuel site. (Charlotte Observer)
BIOGAS: Leftover grease from Rutgers University dining halls is being used to generate renewable energy from “bug farts” at a plant in New Jersey. (My Central Jersey)
TECHNOLOGY:
• MIT engineers unveil a clear film that reflects the sun’s heat and could be applied to windows to reduce air-conditioning use. (Science Daily)
• Researchers from New Jersey’s Stevens Institute of Technology create a “bionic mushroom” that generates electricity. (New Atlas)
TRANSPORTATION: California air quality regulators and their federal counterparts will hold talks next week over the Trump administration’s plan to thwart the state’s efforts to adopt strict tailpipe emission limits. (Reuters)
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CLIMATE:
• Chicago-area scientists hope to empower women in STEMM fields and promote their role in developing clean energy sources. (Energy News Network)
• A federal appeals court grants the Trump administration a temporary stay in a lawsuit brought by 21 young plaintiffs who claim the federal government’s lax response to climate change has harmed them. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• Well-designed tax subsidies help to boost electric vehicle adoption, authors write in a new book on climate solutions. (Energy News Network)
• A carbon charge could greatly reduce the need for zero-emission payments to nuclear plants, a Vermont Law School professor says. (Utility Dive)