GRID: Electricity prices are at new lows in New England as demand sinks about 5% during the coronavirus pandemic and load shifts from commercial buildings to residences. (Hartford Courant)
OFFSHORE WIND:
• Federal regulators must decide whether transmission to serve offshore wind should be tied to generation or, as developer Anbaric proposes, be an open access network. (Platts)
• Fishing groups file notice that they are restarting an appeal against the Empire Wind project off the coast of Long Island. (Bloomberg, subscription required)
***SPONSORED LINK: Due to the coronavirus, the International Partnering Forum (IPF) has been divided into two parts. IPF Virtual, April 21-22, will deliver the most time-sensitive information on the U.S. offshore wind market. This virtual event is open to all IPF registered attendees. The in-person forum will take place at IPF Together, August 18-21 in Providence, Rhode Island. Attendees must register for IPF Together in August to gain access to IPF Virtual in April.***
TRANSMISSION:
• Despite some signatures being gathered illegally, a Maine judge rules that enough valid signatures for an anti-transmission corridor referendum have been collected so the question should be placed on the ballot. (Bangor Daily News)
• Two groups opposed to the referendum spent $9.5 million since last year on efforts to derail it, putting it on track to be the most expensive battle of its kind in state history. (Bangor Daily News)
SOLAR:
• The University of Pennsylvania signs contracts for the output of two solar farms totaling 220 MW that will be built by 2023 and provide 75% of the college’s energy. (Renewables Now)
• New Jersey designs a community solar program that prioritizes signing up low- and moderate-income customers. (Greentech Media, subscription required)
COAL: A Pennsylvania coal mine closed after a worker tested positive for coronavirus has reopened. (Pittsburgh Business Times)
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CLIMATE:
• Dickinson College in Pennsylvania becomes the first college in the state to achieve carbon neutrality, fulfilling a goal announced in 2007. (Environment + Energy Leader)
• A New Jersey researcher says particulate matter is up to 50% lower as fewer fossil fuels are burned during coronavirus lockdowns. (Asbury Park Press)
COMMENTARY: A New Jersey state senator says the straw proposal for energy efficiency proposed by regulators does not do enough to protect access for lower-income individuals. (news release)