SOLAR: New Jersey’s utility regulator announces it will make permanent a popular program that facilitates construction of solar arrays that provide power to low- and moderate-income communities. (NJ Spotlight)

ALSO:
• A southern Maine town votes to allow solar development of up to 15 acres, up from its previous limit of 2 acres. (Portland Press Herald)
• A solar developer and electric co-op complete installation of two solar carports at a Cape Cod golf course. (news release)
• A Connecticut hotel installs a 64 kW rooftop solar array that is expected to offset half of the hotel’s energy costs. (news release)

GAS:
• Pennsylvania environmentalists and policymakers are fighting to close loopholes that exempt oil and gas industry waste from federal regulation. (Environmental Health News)
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff determine that upgrading natural gas compressor stations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania will likely exacerbate climate change, which could complicate their approval. (NorthJersey.com)
• Con Edison announces plans to install smart gas detectors for monitoring natural gas leaks to prevent explosions and reduce emissions. (Smart Energy International)

CLIMATE:
• The New York City Council is likely to approve a bill today that will mandate the mayor create a citywide climate adaptation plan. (The City)
• The Chesapeake Bay Executive Council, which includes Maryland’s governor, agrees to work with federal and regional interests to pursue clean energy development in the area. (Delmarva Now)

WIND: New Jersey regulators say at a forum that they support offshore wind development, but caution it will bring uncertain side effects to the environment and other offshore industries. (Associated Press)

CLEAN ENERGY: An upstate New York town passes three laws to regulate clean energy development, ending its two-year moratorium on solar and wind projects. (Altamont Enterprise)

GRID:
• Supporters and opponents of a referendum aimed at halting the Central Maine Power corridor have so far spent $60 million on advertising and other outreach. (Associated Press)
• PJM Interconnection asks FERC to reconsider its recent decision to cap capacity bid prices, saying the limits prevent power plant owners from making bids that reflect their financial risks. (Utility Dive)
• Maine’s Lincoln County will hold a community discussion regarding the Central Maine Power corridor on Oct. 14, with speakers both supporting and opposing the transmission lines. (Bangor Daily News)

DECARBONIZATION: Ithaca, New York’s city council plans to further discuss and then vote on its proposed private-public partnership to retrofit and decarbonize buildings before launching the program. (Ithaca Voice)

UTILITIES: A central New York town considers hiring legal counsel to help it transition a NYSEG property into public conservation land after the utility cancelled an auction of the land. (Ithaca.com)

COMMENTARY:
• A former U.S. EPA head argues against potentially setting a new nationwide precedent by “rewriting the government rules” that let the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line proceed. (Washington Post)
• A pediatric nurse details how New Jersey’s heavily polluted air has led residents to develop asthma and allergies, and calls for a clean energy transition to make the air cleaner. (NorthJersey.com)

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Kathryn Krawczyk

Kathryn brings her extensive editorial background to the Energy News Network team, where she oversees the early-morning production of ENN’s five email digest newsletters as well as distribution of ENN’s original journalism with other media outlets. From documenting chronic illness’ effect on college students to following the inner workings of Congress, Kathryn has built a broad experience in her more than five years working at major publications including The Week Magazine. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism and information management and technology from Syracuse University.

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Bridget Reed Morawski

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.