EFFICIENCY: Plagued for decades with reliability issues, Block Island wants to continue its energy transformation with an efficiency program added to its interconnection to the mainland and a nearby offshore wind farm. (Energy News Network)
OIL AND GAS:
• With lax enforcement of environmental laws during the coronavirus pandemic, Pennsylvania regulators struggle to fill the gap monitoring activities such as fracking. (Grist)
• An analysis shows that the buyer of a closed refinery in Philadelphia has a mixed record in fulfilling its promises to redevelop polluted industrial sites. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
***SPONSORED LINK: Applications are now open for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship, a yearlong program for high-performing, high-potential military veterans in advanced energy, presented by the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center. Learn more at www.vetsenergyproject.org/fellowship.***
OFFSHORE WIND: A power contract between Vineyard Wind and Connecticut utilities for 804 MW of offshore wind is filed with state regulators. (reNEWS)
CLIMATE:
• The Maine Climate Council notes that the shift to workers telecommuting forced by the coronavirus pandemic can account for a change in the state’s emissions profile even if only partially made permanent. (Portland Press Herald)
• Rhode Island seeks public comments on carbon pricing as it begins a study of the concept. (ecoRI)
TRANSMISSION: A Maine ethics panel rules that an anti-transmission line group must disclose its donors as an investigation into possible campaign finance law violations continues. (Bangor Daily News)
***SPONSORED LINK: Do you know someone who works hard to facilitate the transition to a clean energy economy? Nominate yourself or someone you know for Energy News Network’s 40 Under 40 today.***
FINANCE: Cornell University trustees place a moratorium on new fossil fuel investments and vow to increase support for alternative energy technologies. (E&E News, subscription required)
COMMENTARY:
• Anti-nuclear activists say federal regulators are endangering plant workers with relaxed standards and longer work shifts caused by COVID-19. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• A doctor treating coronavirus patients says one of the best prescriptions available is cleaner air from sustainable transportation as the virus disproportionately affects those exposed to dirtier air. (Boston Globe)
• Renewable energy advocates say a petition to rewrite federal jurisdiction over net metering prompted by a New Hampshire group would have major implications on state policies. (Greentech Media)
• An editorial board endorses a proposal to put idled oil and gas workers on the job of capping abandoned wells, with at least 8,500 existing in Pennsylvania. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)