OFFSHORE WIND: New York’s top energy official says the state will proceed with a solicitation of 2.5 GW of offshore wind proposals this year, but that a lack of federal leasing areas could be an obstacle. (Recharge)
ALSO: A week after the release of an environmental impact statement for Vineyard Wind, analysts say it’s still unclear how favorable the Trump administration will be to development. (E&E News)
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PIPELINES:
• Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court denies Sunoco’s appeal to a ruling that some of its work was conducted without proper permits. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
• A New Jersey judge dismisses an ethics lawsuit against two county officials that claimed their union membership posed a conflict of interest in pipeline decisions. (Burlington County Times)
SOLAR:
• Officials in a Connecticut town say a proposed 120 MW solar project announced this week will help put an end to trespassing and illegal parties at the gravel pit site where it will be located. (Hartford Courant)
• A New Jersey real estate developer will be the largest community solar host in the state, with 11 MW of projects planned at industrial rooftop sites. (NJBiz)
• A Boston real estate firm plans 8.5 MW of rooftop solar at industrial properties in Massachusetts and New Jersey. (news release)
• A Connecticut school district is taking advantage of the early shutdown this year to install solar and other energy upgrades. (NorthJersey.com)
CLIMATE: A New Hampshire town begins an audit of greenhouse gas emissions from its municipal operations. (Seacoast Online)
UTILITIES:
• Pennsylvania regulators uphold a moratorium on utility disconnections. (Associated Press)
• Vermont lawmakers advance legislation that would help residents with unpaid utility bills and expand broadband internet. (VT Digger)
• Three Connecticut utilities have resumed indoor work at homes and businesses. (Middletown Press)
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TRANSPORTATION: An infrastructure bill in the U.S. House could fund east-west passenger rail service from Boston to Springfield, Massachusetts. (MassLive)
COMMENTARY:
• A writer says building a solar array at Rikers Island in New York could help atone for a history of racism and abuse. (The New Republic)
• An MIT graduate student says Massachusetts should make driving more expensive to avoid “carmageddon” as commuters return to work. (CommonWealth Magazine)
• An editorial board has questions about New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s offshore wind terminal plans. (NJ.com)