OFFSHORE WIND: Massachusetts utilities select a second 800 MW offshore wind contract, in a process that emphasized lower electricity costs instead of infrastructure development. (SouthCoast Today)
ALSO:
• The University of Maine responds to technology changes and greater competition by increasing the size of the platform for its floating offshore wind turbine. (Portland Press Herald)
• Bipartisan lawmakers from New Jersey and New York introduce an extension of federal tax credits to aid offshore wind in the U.S. House. (NJ Spotlight)
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CLIMATE: Rex Tillerson rejects New York’s claim that he defrauded investors on the risks of climate change while he served as ExxonMobil’s CEO. (Bloomberg)
SOLAR: Officials in a Long Island town say a new 2.4 MW solar project will put them on track to meet their emissions reduction target. (Newsday)
OIL & GAS:
• Air monitoring set up near oil storage tanks at a Maine port reveals hazardous emissions of volatile organic compounds are occuring at rates double of what environmental permits allow. (InsideClimate News)
• Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto for the first time speaks out against bringing additional petrochemical plants to western Pennsylvania, saying it harms regional economic growth. (PublicSource)
• Officials from a neighboring county say they are “disheartened” by the criticism. (The Times)
• Pennsylvania regulators and a natural gas storage operator reach a $650,000 settlement for violations at a facility beneath a planned coal mine. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
COAL: The largest coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania will close in a week and February termination notices have been filed for its remaining workers. (The Times)
PIPELINES: Rhode Island regulators release a report on a January incident that left some residents without gas service for a week due to low pipeline pressure. (WPRI)
REGULATION: The new top utility regulator in Connecticut says it will be a challenge to lower the state’s high energy prices anytime soon. (Hartford Business)
EFFICIENCY: New Jersey regulators approve an energy efficiency program at a large medical facility that will 1.8 million kilowatt-hours. (NJBiz)
COMMENTARY: A solar industry group says it does not oppose adjustments to New Jersey’s solar incentives, but not to the point where projects under construction would cease development. (NJ Spotlight)