RENEWABLES: Analysts expect renewables to continue growing in 2020 and next year as oil, gas and coal companies struggle financially. (New York Times)

ALSO: The coronavirus is hitting renewable energy supply chains and factories, which could slow the global energy transition, a new report warns. (CNBC)

***SPONSORED LINK: Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has an exciting opportunity for an energetic and strategic leader to drive our climate work: Join our team as MCEA’s Climate Program Director! Apply here.***

WIND:
• A coalition of advocates and industry representatives work to provide fishing interests a seat at the table in discussions of offshore wind development in New England. (Energy News Network)
• Massachusetts researchers are designing a light floating wind turbine that could be towed out to sea and fixed to deep ocean floors. (News@Northeastern)

SOLAR:
• The nation’s largest home solar installer pulls its 2020 forecast and cuts jobs as it shifts to online sales and braces for lean months ahead. (Greentech Media)
• Solar companies are turning to virtual meetings and social media canvassing instead of “kitchen table” sales during the pandemic. (Greentech Media)
• Solar demand in New York could plummet as much as 30% this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. (E&E News, subscription required)

EFFICIENCY: Energy efficiency installations grind to a halt in at least 20 states as fallout from the coronavirus pandemic spreads. (Utility Dive)

POLLUTION: Coronavirus patients in areas with high levels of air pollution are far more likely to die than those in cleaner parts of the country, a study finds. (New York Times)

PIPELINES: Keystone XL pipeline construction began over the weekend at a border crossing in northern Montana as critics call for delays due to the coronavirus. (Associated Press)

OIL & GAS:
• Oil and gas rig workers in the Gulf of Mexico struggle to practice social distancing because of cramped quarters, raising concerns about the spread of COVID-19. (Bloomberg)
• A company that runs gas generators at oil drilling sites in North Dakota installs high-speed cloud computing units for use by researchers in other states as they work on coronavirus vaccines. (Bismarck Tribune)

UTILITIES:
• A union official says utility workers should be classified as first responders due to the services they provide during crises like the pandemic. (S&P Global)
• Dominion Energy asks Virginia regulators to drop an analysis of a possible natural gas buildout from its long-range resource plan because the path won’t be viable under a new state law. (Utility Dive)

EMISSIONS:
• The average level of methane in the atmosphere saw its biggest jump last year in the last half decade, according to preliminary data. (The Hill)
• A new roadmap outlines a path to net-zero emissions from heavy industry, which accounts for one-third of global emissions. (Greentech Media)

***YOUR AD HERE: Join a dynamic and growing organization that works to deliver Midwest renewable energy through policy, technical, and regulatory avenues. Clean Grid Alliance is hiring a Vice President—State Policy to be part of our team. Learn more and apply today!***

BIOFUELS: With fuel demand plummeting due to stay-home orders, the economic environment for ethanol is “fast becoming catastrophic.” (Seeking Alpha)

COMMENTARY: Broadcast and cable news are ignoring the brazen effort to deregulate polluting industries under the cover of coronavirus. (Media Matters)

Avatar photo

Dan Haugen

Dan has two decades' experience working in print, digital and broadcast media. Prior to joining the Energy News Network as managing editor in December 2017, he oversaw watchdog reporting at the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, part of the USA Today Network, and before that spent several years as a freelance journalist covering energy, business and technology. Dan is a former Midwest Energy News journalism fellow and a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communications from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.