NATURAL GAS: Researchers find exposure to methane from leaking pipes is killing trees in a Boston-area community. (InsideClimate News)

ALSO:
• A study for the Long Island Power Authority finds early retirement of an oil-and-gas fired generating unit could save ratepayers $300 million. (Newsday)
• Dominion says it will continue exporting natural gas from a Maryland facility during maintenance work in June. (Reuters)
• A New Jersey utility suspends work on a gas main upgrade after construction problems. (The SandPaper)

***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.***

WIND:
• Massachusetts and Rhode Island announce $1.1 million in grants to study the impact of offshore wind farms on fisheries. (South Coast Today)
• An analysis by New England’s grid operator finds as much as 10% of new offshore wind capacity could be curtailed because of transmission constraints. (S&P Global)
• PJM is looking for solutions that will help offshore wind compete in its capacity market, as states like New Jersey and Maryland look for other options. (Utility Dive)

EMISSIONS: A recent federal court ruling is “a partial, but significant victory” for states like Maryland hoping to crack down on upwind power plant pollution. (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE: The citizens advisory council for Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection recommends not joining a regional emissions compact. (Pennsylvania Business Report)

STORAGE: A new zinc-air battery storage system to be tested in New York is expected to provide better performance than lithium-ion batteries at a fraction of the cost. (Recharge News)

SOLAR:
• A Maine planning board delays a decision on a proposed 30-acre solar project. (American Journal)
• A Massachusetts church completes a 62 kW rooftop solar installation. (Wicked Local)

CLEAN ENERGY: A Pittsburgh-based consortium signs a deal for 100% clean energy that is expected to save $500,000 annually. (Renewables Now)

EFFICIENCY: New Jersey lifts its restrictions on in-home energy efficiency assessments. (NJ Spotlight)

TRANSPORTATION:
• New York City subway ridership is growing again but is still a fraction of normal rates; and the city’s transit agency begins using ultraviolet light to disinfect buses and train cars. (New York Daily News, CNN)
• Polls show many Americans plan to avoid transit even as lockdowns are eased, reflecting similar trends in China. (Reuters)

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UTILITIES: Maine utilities anticipate a financial hit from unpaid bills and lower energy use from coronavirus lockdowns. (Portland Press Herald)

COMMENTARY: A New Jersey solar developer touts the potential of “dual-use” development on farms. (NJ Spotlight)

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.