TRANSPORTATION: A new study finds vehicle emissions killed thousands of people across the Northeast in 2016 and subsequently racked up hundreds of thousands of dollars in “health-related financial tolls.” (Boston Globe)
CLIMATE: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signs a $7.35 billion budget that includes $50 million for climate change measures, nearly half of which is earmarked for weatherization efforts. (VT Digger)
GRID:
• Northeastern power prices skyrocket to almost triple last year’s costs as soaring temperatures cause residents to crank up their air conditioners. (Bloomberg)
• Connecticut will become the eighth state to institute an energy storage target if its governor signs recently passed legislation that aims for 1 GW of energy storage by the end of 2030. (Utility Dive)
• Building on discoveries made at University of Maryland College Park, a new startup looks to bring better lithium-ion battery storage to market at a lower price. (Technical.ly)
UTILITIES:
• Washington, D.C. regulators authorize a controversial $108.6 million rate hike for Pepco that includes performance incentive mechanisms to encourage the utility’s compliance with local renewable energy targets. (Utility Dive)
• Federal regulators approve fines of $360,000 against Central Maine Power over two transmission system testing standards violations. (Portland Press-Herald, subscription)
• Over 2,800 Con Edison ratepayers in southern New York will receive an average reimbursement of $185 for food spoilage because of a power outage following Hurricane Isaias in August 2020. (Patch.com)
SOLAR:
• New York City officials intend to add solar panels to affordable housing buildings to offset the cost of high-speed broadband and WiFi for residents. (Axios)
• In Delaware, newly proposed legislation seeks to mitigate problems that have hindered widespread community solar development. (news release)
REGULATORS:
• Bea Gonzalez becomes the first Latina to serve on the board of trustees of the New York Power Authority, following her appointment by the governor. (Syracuse.com, subscription)
• The Maine Senate unanimously approves the governor’s nominee to the state utility regulator: Patrick Scully, an energy and utility lawyer with decades of experience. (Portland Press-Herald, subscription)
NATURAL GAS: An Enbridge subsidiary plans to flare gas this week as it inspects a pipeline segment near Bangor, Maine. (WABI 5)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Officials in Brunswick, Maine, approve leases for four new electric vehicles for town employee use, in addition to new charging stations at the town office and police station. (Times Record)