NATURAL GAS: A new report says shale gas counties, including those in Pennsylvania, show “economic growth without prosperity” as they lagged other parts of their states in income and job growth. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

ALSO: Pennsylvania environmental officials fine a natural gas producer $294,000 for misclassifying inactive conventional wells that should have been plugged. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

SOLAR:
• After an uproar from solar developers and the governor, Central Maine Power now says it has a way for faster and cheaper solar hookups after warnings a week ago of cost spikes. (Portland Press Herald)
• Panelists at a New York forum say net metering served its purpose to boost solar development but new regulatory structures need to be developed. (S&P Global)
• A 17.5 MW solar farm that will supply about 10% of the Philadelphia area transit authority’s demand powers up. (reNEWS)

CLIMATE:
• A Maryland Senate committee starts work on a climate bill that would put the state on a path to net-zero emissions by 2045. (Maryland Matters)
• Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker again denounces comments from his climate undersecretary that suggest residents will have to change their behavior for the state to meet its goals. (CommonWealth Magazine)

ELECTRIFICATION: Advocates say two conflicting ballot measures on whether to allow Burlington, Vermont to “regulate thermal energy systems” may cause confusion among voters. (Seven Days)

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Delaware Gov. John Carney signs a bill to increase the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 40% by 2035 that triples the solar carve-out to 10%. (WHYY)

OFFSHORE WIND: An offshore wind trade association creates a program that informs businesses how they can participate in the supply chain for the growing industry. (Renewable Energy News)

BIOENERGY: An environmental coalition wants Delaware to delay approval of a proposed anaerobic digester that would process waste from a chicken processing plant to create a biofuel. (Delaware State News)

COMMENTARY:
• A charging company executive says charging station operators must adopt open standards for the technology to promote greater acceptance and flexibility. (Energy News Network)
• The head of the state’s Chamber of Commerce says the developed in-Maine floating offshore wind turbine is an economic opportunity in the great tradition of the state’s past industries. (Mainebiz)
• An editorial board says Central Maine Power must quickly provide answers on how solar interconnection costs rose dramatically just weeks after the company  and developers negotiated agreements. (Portland Press Herald)
• The Press of Atlantic City praises federal agencies for working to allay fears of fishing interests who are concerned about possible adverse impacts of offshore wind on their industry.

Bill is a freelance journalist based outside Albany, New York. As a former New England correspondent for RTO Insider, he has written about energy for newspapers, magazines and other publications for more than 20 years. He has an extensive career in trade publications and newspapers, mostly focused on the utility sector, covering such issues as restructuring, renewable energy and consumer affairs. Bill covers Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire and also compiles the Northeast Energy News daily email digest.