CLIMATE: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes the state legislature’s effort to stop him from signing the state up for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (Pittsburgh Business Times)
ALSO:
• Massachusetts saw its third-warmest year in its recorded history in 2021, with its average temperature 2 degrees above normal and nearly 4 degrees above the 20th century average. (Berkshire Eagle)
• A landmark bill introduced in New York would require wealthy fashion labels that operate in the state to disclose their climate and social impacts, as well as reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. (Bloomberg)
GAS:
• An energy company seeking to build a natural gas-to-gasoline production center on the Susquehanna River near Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, makes sustainability claims that environmentalists say are unfounded. (Bay Journal)
• In Newark, New Jersey, the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission is set to vote this week on whether to construct a gas-fired emergency power plant, and activists want the governor to stop the plan. (NorthJersey.com)
• Dozens of activist groups call on Delaware Gov. John Carney to stop further development of biogas infrastructure that they say signals the beginning of a larger build-out. (news release)
SOLAR: Central Maine Power reaches a settlement with six clean energy entities to hasten the pace of new solar interconnections; the utility will fund six contractors over two years and support a grid troubleshooting working group. (Portland Press Herald)
COAL: A federal judge rules a New Hampshire coal plant’s wastewater discharge doesn’t amount to a sewage disposal violation but that a lawsuit based on the water’s temperature may proceed. (New Hampshire Union Leader)
GRID:
• Connecticut utility officials warn that if current freezing temperatures last for too long, the state could see rolling blackouts. (New Haven Register)
• New York’s grid operator files a proposed market rule change with federal regulators that it says will allow the wholesale electricity markets to make major investments in wind, solar and battery storage. (T&D World)
• The New England and New York grids’ day-ahead power prices yesterday rose above their respective three-month averages amid intense wintry temperatures. (S&P Global)
FINANCE: The New York State Teachers’ Retirement System files required plans with the state legislature outlining the end of its $1 billion worth of investments in natural gas, oil and thermal coal reserve holdings. (Natural Gas Intelligence)
TRANSPORTATION: New York announces 17 projects that will collectively receive $3 million to further develop their clean transportation concepts before a final judgment this summer determines three entities that will receive $10 million apiece. (news release)
WIND: South Fork wind farm surveying and construction prep work will begin this week ahead of the start of the onshore build-out beginning later this month. (The East Hampton Star)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Six new electric vehicle chargers are coming to several Vermont downtowns, with the majority of the $1 million cost covered by the state. (news release)