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)
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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)