PIPELINES: A New Hampshire utility drops its Granite Bridge pipeline project and instead opts to use existing infrastructure to expand gas service. (NHPR)
NUCLEAR:
• After a public outcry, Connecticut regulators temporarily suspend a rate increase effective July 1 that a utility blames in part on an agreement to keep the state’s Millstone nuclear plant operating. (CT Examiner)
• A bill to bail out Pennnsylvania’s nuclear fleet stalls in legislative committees amid a bribery scandal in Ohio over a similar law. (TribLIVE)
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CLIMATE:
• The Massachusetts House passes a comprehensive climate bill that must be reconciled with a Senate version as legislators agree to extend the session beyond its July 31 deadline. (WBUR)
• The bill includes an amendment that increases the state’s requirement to procure 3,600 MW of offshore wind. (WWLP)
SOLAR: Massachusetts trails only California in the number of houses of worship that have installed solar power. (Energy News Network)
POWER PLANTS: New Jersey’s largest utility holding company may sell off its fossil fuel plants and keep its nuclear generators. (NJ Spotlight)
OFFSHORE WIND:
• A Massachusetts company sees a former coal power plant site as the most effective landing spot for electricity created by large offshore wind developments off the state’s coast. (E&E News, subscription required)
• New Jersey regulators will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday to discuss its second solicitation for up to 2,400 MW of offshore wind. (Tapinto.net)
• Despite the economic downturn, Connecticut continues redevelopment of two ports to accommodate an expected surge in offshore wind development. (Hartford Courant)
RENEWABLE ENERGY: New Jersey’s public employee pension fund commits $100 million to a financial firm that invests solely in renewable energy projects. (NJ Spotlight)
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DIVESTMENT: New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli defends his go-slow approach to remove fossil fuel assets from the state’s public pension fund. (Lockport Journal)
COMMENTARY:
• An editorial board lauds New York’s commitment to offshore wind with its recent solicitation for up to 2,500 MW off Long Island. (Newsday)
• While Massachusetts seeks to limit building emissions long-term, a university professor says adopting a passive building standard is one way to immediately lower building emissions. (CommonWealth Magazine)
• A former economic development official in Vermont says transitioning off fossil fuels serves three goals of keeping money in-state, lowering consumer costs and creating good-paying jobs. (VT Digger)
• New Hampshire’s consumer advocate says a utility’s decision to abandon an expensive pipeline project saves customers money and uses existing infrastructure more efficiently. (InDepthNH)