CLIMATE: Vermont regulators release a report that says the state won’t make a significant impact on heating and transportation emissions reduction without new public funding sources. (Energy News Network)
ALSO: A new analysis from Brown University shows how lobbying from business groups has been effective in holding back climate legislation in Massachusetts. (Inside Climate News)
TRANSPORTATION:
• New Jersey regulators approve a $166 million plan by the state’s largest utility to build out electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (ROI-NJ.com)
• A Vermont entrepreneur is attempting to launch an electric commuter rail service connecting Montpelier, Burlington and other cities. (Vermont Business)
PIPELINES: The Maryland Public Works Board grants the final approval to a natural gas pipeline to extend service to the state’s Eastern Shore. (Maryland Matters)
OIL & GAS:
• Oil drilling off the New Jersey coast became increasingly unlikely as President Biden signs an executive order pausing new leases on the East Coast. (NJ.com)
• A Pennsylvania agency says impact fees from oil and gas drilling are expected to hit their lowest level since 2013. (StateImpact Pennsylvania)
SOLAR:
• Con Edison is testing interconnection technology that simplifies the amount of electrical work needed to install solar panels, which can greatly reduce costs. (Greentech Media, Energy News Network archive)
• A developer says it will install 3.7 MW of solar projects at five of its retail and office properties in New York and Massachusetts. (Renewable Energy World)
STORAGE:
• A New York utility with a little-used energy storage project for peak load reduction asks the state grid operator for permission to participate in the wholesale power market. (PV Magazine)
• A Pittsburgh battery storage joint venture is riding several hot trends soon after it went public. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
CLEAN ENERGY: New York announces $17 million available in grants to local governments for clean energy projects and climate change mitigation efforts. (Rochester First)
COMMENTARY:
• A trade union says the Connecticut governor’s opposition to a power plant hurts economic recovery from the pandemic and also sends the wrong signal to developers wanting to invest in projects in the state. (CT Mirror)
• Environmental organizations say an electric vehicle charging station agreement between New Jersey regulators and a utility does not go far enough as it ignores medium- and heavy-duty trucks. (Environmental Defense Fund)
• Solar activists say Rhode Island’s plan to decarbonize needs more urgent attention as it is not binding or enforceable. (ecoRI)
• Business and environmental leaders say Massachusetts should pass its refiled climate bill and Gov. Charlie Baker should now sign it. (CommonWealth Magazine)