CLIMATE: The U.S. Supreme Court strikes a blow to Baltimore’s climate lawsuit against major oil and gas companies, agreeing with the corporations on a narrow procedural issue — but experts say it isn’t the “kill shot” the industry sought. (New York Times)

ALSO:
• A Pennsylvania air quality committee recommends the state’s environmental quality board join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative; the board will consider final rulemaking this summer. (Indiana Gazette)
• Even if New York adds a “green amendment” to its constitution, the state likely won’t see near-term results because of likely litigation, according to a public policy think tank. (Times Union)

GEOTHERMAL: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is expected to soon sign a bill that would require geothermal energy to make up 1% of the state’s renewable energy portfolio standard. (Maryland Matters)

GRID:
• A Long Island business group tells New York regulators that residents across the state should help fund offshore wind-related grid upgrades, not just those who live in the coastal region. (Long Island Business News)
• New Hampshire Electric Cooperative turns on the state’s first standalone battery-storage facility, a 2.45 MW project projected to save ratepayers $2.3 million over 12 years. (Concord Monitor)
• Vermont’s Green Mountain Power says its pilot project using residential batteries to bolster regional grid reliability is a utility industry first. (Smart Energy International)

OFFSHORE WIND: Southern Massachusetts officials are frustrated over what they characterize as a string of missed opportunities through the offshore wind procurement process for “permanent industry investment” in their region. (Standard-Times)

NATURAL GAS:
• A New Hampshire gas utility wants to increase its capacity through a 20-year power purchase agreement, but activists say the contract is too long and assumes gas utilities will continue to operate as they do now. (Keene Sentinel)
• Starting June 1, UGI Utilities will charge its residential Pennsylvania ratepayer about $2 more per month; plans are underway for additional rate hikes toward year-end. (PennLive)

UTILITIES: Long Island residents are exasperated over utilities frequently digging up paved roads and shoddy subsequent repair jobs, and local legislators want to make the utilities liable for future repairs. (CBS New York)

SOLAR: In central New York, a proposed municipal floating solar array that would be installed on a water reservoir seeks federal funding.  (news release)

COMMENTARY:
• New Hampshire’s consumer advocate apologizes for higher non-bypassable charges for energy efficiency programs on residential bills, but argues the fees will result in energy savings in the long run. (InDepthNH)
• A central Maine farmer calls his family’s decision to install a 10-acre community solar farm on their property and diversify their income “a no-brainer.” (Bangor Daily News)

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Bridget Reed Morawski

Bridget is a freelance reporter and newsletter writer based in the Washington, D.C., area. She compiles the Northeast Energy News digest. Bridget primarily writes about energy, conservation and the environment. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated from Emerson College in 2015 with a degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies. When she isn’t working on a story, she’s normally on a northern Maine lake or traveling abroad to practice her Spanish language skills.