GRID: Mainers head to the polls today to vote on a ballot initiative to determine the fate of Central Maine Power’s controversial transmission corridor project, following months of political advertising in what has become the most expensive referendum in state history. (Portland Press Herald)

ALSO:
• The outcome not only will determine whether the transmission project can continue but will majorly influence whether Massachusetts, the beneficiary of the transmitted power, can reach its climate goals. (Boston Globe)
• In last-minute bids to win over voters, transmission line supporters and opponents poured an additional almost $2 million into political advertising over the past six days. (Bangor Daily News)

GAS:
• A steam loop owner accuses Philadelphia Gas Works of predatory and anti-competitive behavior for allegedly offering aggressive deals to incentivize customers to switch heating providers while pursuing a large gas-delivery fee hike. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• National Grid’s upstate New York customers may see their gas bills rise by 31% this winter, which the utility blames in part on rising demand. (Olean Times Herald)

PIPELINES: A Massachusetts lawmaker wants to meet with Eversource officials over his concerns with their proposed secondary pipeline, calling the plan a “potential hazard” for Springfield residents. (MassLive)

SOLAR:
• An energy developer proposes a 100 MW solar farm in a small western New York town, anticipating construction to begin in 2024 and commercial operations to start later that year. (Evening Tribune)
• Municipalities across Maine are pausing a surge of solar development as they seek to map out how to recycle solar panels and decommission these facilities. (Maine Public Radio/Bangor Daily News)
• A Philadelphia high school opens a new solar training lab, the hub of a new three-year vocational program. (news release)

EFFICIENCY:
• Maryland’s top ratepayer advocate says a state commission’s recommendations for building decarbonization requirements aren’t ready to implement. (Maryland Matters)
• Two New York lawmakers introduce legislation to ban permits for new gas-powered building construction after 2023 and conversions of existing buildings after 2022. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)

UTILITIES: A Maine utility begins applying an approved 17.5% rate increase to customer bills, with the additional revenue earmarked for reliability and storm recovery. (Bangor Daily News)

TRANSPORTATION: The number of electric vehicles sold in Maine rose from 1.2% of new cars in 2020 to over 2.4% in 2021, roughly following the national upswing in adoption. (Maine Biz)

COMMENTARY:
• A New York editorial board applauds the state’s decision to deny permits to two gas-fired power plants, calling the outcome a “green victory.” (Times Union)
• Vermonters account for some of the highest per-capita transportation energy use in the country, which a research institute director says could be alleviated if the state would focus on reducing vehicle miles traveled. (Streetsblog)

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.