GRID: A Maine judge cancels the public land lease for part of Central Maine Power’s disputed transmission line project on the grounds that state officials failed to meet certain obligations before signing. (Portland Press Herald)

ALSO: A New York City lawmaker raises concerns that Con Edison isn’t doing enough to address power outages arising from even mild weather conditions. (QNS)

TRANSPORTATION: Washington, D.C., wants federal officials to make major changes to a high-speed maglev train line proposal, including reconsidering a 1,000-space parking lot in a neighborhood with abundant transit access. (Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS: A Baltimore neighborhood commemorates the lives of two people killed in a natural gas explosion one year ago; a fire official says the cause was build-up of natural gas and the ignition of a stove. (CBS Baltimore)

CLIMATE: Maine Conservation Voters wants Congress to approve a $3.5 trillion reconciliation package that includes billions for climate action. (WMTW 8)

UTILITIES: Orange and Rockland Utilities warns customers of con artists taking advantage of family routines disrupted by the pandemic and summer holidays. (news release)

SOLAR:
• In central New York, a 6.9 MW solar array with a 20 MWh battery storage system is among the largest such projects in the state to date. (PV magazine)
• U.S. Energy Information Administration data show New Jersey ranks 12th nationwide in terms of solar energy production. (NJ Spotlight)

COMMENTARY:
• A clean energy advocate commends PJM Interconnection for transmission planning and cost studies but wants the grid operator to analyze costs assuming large-scale investments. (NRDC)
• A Baltimore writer says offshore wind could provide a similar source of good paying jobs for people of color that the local steel industry once did. (Maryland Matters)
• Two former Maine conservation officials implore residents to vote no on a ballot initiative addressing Central Maine Power’s transmission project, arguing that retroactively changing regulation can’t be how that state makes laws. (Bangor Daily News)

Bridget is a freelance reporter and newsletter writer based in the Washington, D.C., area. She compiles the Northeast Energy News digest. Bridget primarily writes about energy, conservation and the environment. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated from Emerson College in 2015 with a degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies. When she isn’t working on a story, she’s normally on a northern Maine lake or traveling abroad to practice her Spanish language skills.