ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: A New Jersey Assembly committee advances a bill that would give environmental justice communities more say in the permitting of pollution sources. (NJ Spotlight)

EMISSIONS: Massachusetts and 19 other states sue the Environmental Protection agency over a new rule that limits federal regulation of toxic emissions from power plants. (The Hill)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Veterans Advanced Energy Week, August 10-13, a virtual learning experience dedicated to military veterans and spouses in advanced energy and national security. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org. ***

CLEAN ENERGY:
Despite challenges caused by COVID-19, the six New England states say they are able to pursue their clean energy agendas. (RTO Insider, subscription required)
A consumer owned cooperative works in the Northeast to bring clean energy projects to members’ communities. (Institute for Local Self-Reliance)

PIPELINES:
• Federal regulators approve the Leidy South pipeline project in eastern Pennsylvania. (Power Engineering)
• A pipeline operator in Pennsylvania provides water to several homeowners after a chemical leak at a compressor station poisons drinking water wells. (PublicHerald.org)

SOLAR:
• Maryland officially breaks ground on a solar array on the state fairgrounds. (WMAR)
• Penn State Extension urges caution as farmers are approached by solar developers with complex long-term leases for projects on agricultural lands. (Farm and Dairy)

COAL: Attorneys general from New York and three other states sue the Trump administration to stop coal leases on federal lands. (The Hill)

***SPONSORED LINK: Register today for Fresh Energy’s Truly Affordable Webinar Series on Thursdays in July! Now more than ever the topic of affordable, energy efficient housing has become even more critical.***

TRANSMISSION: Despite its constitutional uncertainty, supporters of an anti-transmission corridor referendum say the vote will put project supporters in the state legislature on notice. (Bangor Daily News)

COMMENTARY:
• A coalition of renewable energy companies says Pennsylvania can become a nation leader in clean energy with only a modest statewide requirement due to its size. (Pennlive.org)
• A clean energy advocacy says the energy efficiency industry can provide an economic boost post-pandemic by immediately putting people back to work. (NH Business Review)
• A former utility executive says New Hampshire legislators should override the latest veto of a rise in the net metering cap as opponents misrepresent the costs and benefits of the program. (Concord Monitor)

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.