CLIMATE: The Massachusetts Senate passes an amended climate bill that incorporates some of Gov. Charlie Baker’s technical suggestions but rejects his most serious objections on timelines and net-zero buildings. (WBUR)

TRANSMISSION: Maine legislators again object to Hydro-Quebec’s lobbying against referenda to defeat a proposed transmission corridor, saying a foreign entity should not be allowed to influence an election. (Maine Public)

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SOLAR:
• Pennsylvania sets a record with 265 MW of new solar generation capacity installed in 2020. (Pennlive)
• Rhode Island considers a bill that would require solar panel manufacturers to fund and run a program to recycle used solar panels that installers say would create an unnecessary burden. (ecoRI)

PIPELINES: Massachusetts officials survey residents of three towns impacted by a 2018 pipeline explosion on how to spend settlement money paid by the gas utility. (Eagle-Tribune)

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Pennsylvania’s targets for renewable energy are set to max out this year but legislative leaders are unlikely to increase them. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

TECHNOLOGY: Residents and legislators speak against a proposed facility that would turn medical waste into energy at a Rhode Island hearing. (WJAR)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: State and local officials from Pennsylvania say the federal government must do more to lead the transition to cleaner electric vehicles. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

HYDROPOWER: Towns along the Kennebec River tell Maine officials they would lose tax revenue if dams are removed in an attempt to restore Atlantic salmon spawning areas. (CentralMaine.com)

UTILITIES: Vermont regulators on Friday approved plans by two utilities to expand broadband internet access to hard-to-reach areas of the state. (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• The Appalachian Mountain Club says methane regulation from fracking is critical in Pennsylvania to protect the environment and public health. (Morning Call)
• Connecticut’s former top utility regulator says the state’s regulatory structure is flawed in that its utility commission’s budget and personnel are controlled by the department that is a party to its actions. (CT Post)
• A Boston city councilor says the next mayor chosen later this year must be bold on climate action with an emphasis on environmental justice. (CommonWealth Magazine)

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.