NUCLEAR: A bill to classify Pennsylvania’s nuclear plants as clean energy is expected to be introduced today, with estimated costs ranging widely. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
ALSO:
• Unprompted, a Pennsylvania regulator sends a memo to lawmakers outlining the effects of different nuclear policy scenarios. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
• New Jersey’s ratepayer advocate accused a nuclear power plant owner of “holding a gun to the regulators’ head” in its argument for a subsidy (NJ Spotlight)
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PIPELINES: New Jersey’s Pinelands Commission says its approval of a natural gas pipeline is void now that a power plant is no longer converting to use the fuel. (Press of Atlantic City)
NATURAL GAS: Columbia Gas of Massachusetts says it will resume replacing furnaces and other equipment damaged in a natural gas explosion last year. (Associated Press)
SOLAR:
• How a Massachusetts city transitioned from a coal plant to hosting the state’s largest solar farm. (CBS News)
• A local planning board in Massachusetts will begin review of a 5 MW solar project that could include 2.5 MW of storage. (Berkshire Eagle)
• A 7.1 MW solar farm backed by a 3.3 MW storage system is complete in Massachusetts. (news release)
• A Maryland county will reexamine its solar zoning rules less than a month after it rejected a 150-acre project. (Frederick News Post)
WIND:
• Connecticut is planning to invest in a state pier to prepare it for the burgeoning offshore wind industry in New England. (Hartford Courant)
• A Massachusetts community college launches an offshore wind training program. (North American Windpower)
WASTE-TO-ENERGY:
• A Connecticut waste-to-energy plant is back in operation, but the costs are still reverberating to cities around the state. (Hartford Courant)
• Maryland legislators are considering a bill to eliminate clean energy subsidies paid to the Baltimore trash incinerator. (WBAL)
EFFICIENCY: The U.S. House passes a Vermont lawmaker’s bill to improve energy efficiency in schools. (Associated Press)
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HYDROPOWER: Maine officials will hold a hearing next week on a proposal to rebuild a dam dating to the 1850s. (Associated Press)
COMMENTARY:
• A conservative activist says the recent failure of carbon tax legislation in Maine shows reluctance of progressive states to adopt a “regressive” tax. (Forbes)
• AA Pennsylvania utility president questions the need to support the state’s nuclear plants. (Citizens’ Voice)
• AA newspaper editorial says a recent deal to support the Clean Energy Connect transmission line shows Maine Gov. Janet Mills “will jump on opportunities as they arise” to fight climate change. (Portland Press Herald)
• AA sustainable energy advocate says New Jersey is missing an opportunity by not encouraging the use of renewable natural gas created by food and other organic waste products. (Asbury Park Press)