PIPELINES: Pennsylvania files criminal charges against the corporate owners of the Revolution pipeline, asserting that their “negligence” led to its explosion near Pittsburgh over three years ago. (Beaver County Times)

EQUITY:
• A lack of transparency and representation on Massachusetts’ Commission on Clean Heat leaves climate advocates skeptical of the kinds of policies it will create. (Energy News Network)
• Delaware is the first state in the nation to set up a committee to carry out a federal environmental justice policy, but some advocates worry related actions won’t actually help those most in need. (E&E News)
• A newspaper highlights the 18 newly appointed members of Philadelphia’s first Environmental Justice Advisory Commission and some of their past environmental justice work. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

UTILITIES:
• Some observers say Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ utility regulation proposal won’t go far enough to address issues with the state’s investor-owned utilities and note the state can already force asset sales in response to poor service, as the bill would allow. (Bangor Daily News)
• A New Hampshire town board will hold two public hearings later in February on a draft plan to offer community power options to residents. (New Hampshire Public Radio)

GAS: A Rhode Island power plant will pay a roughly $12,000 fine to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to file toxic release inventory reports for ammonia usage. (Providence Business News)

POLITICS: Tom Saviello will not seek election as Maine’s next governor in part because, as one of the main activists against the New England Clean Energy Connect line, he wants to focus on the related court cases. (Portland Press Herald)

CLIMATE:
• Maine universities band together to share climate mitigation resources, ensure widespread understanding of climate issues and discuss potential campus collaborations. (Maine Public Radio)
• Over two dozen New Jersey advocacy groups put forward proposals for an accelerated climate mitigation and green economy agenda, including a faster decarbonized grid timeline. (news release, NJBIZ)

FINANCE: A Maine town council considers divesting from fossil fuel assets included in its $7.7 million in total investments. (Times Record)

COMMENTARY:
• A Massachusetts newspaper columnist argues that Cape Cod is long overdue to have its power lines undergrounded to prevent frequent, costly outages. (Cape Cod Times)
• A central Maine environmental advocate explains why the state needs to approve an amendment guaranteeing the right to clean water, air and environment. (Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel)
• A Maine editorial board supports the proposal to strengthen state utility regulators’ oversight, noting “if the goal is restoring confidence in the PUC, the law can’t go into effect fast enough.” (Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel)

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.