CLIMATE: Advocates developing Vermont’s Climate Action Plan consider new strategies to reduce transportation emissions after the apparent collapse of the regional Transportation and Climate Initiative. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• New Jersey clean energy advocates condemn the state’s first rule to reduce greenhouse gas pollution in a hearing, saying it would still allow gas-fired power plants to operate and be built. (NJ Spotlight)
• New York environmental advocates say the state isn’t doing enough to ensure it will reach its goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040. (Spectrum News 1)

GRID:
• PJM Interconnection proposes a two-year pause on reviewing requests to connect new generation projects to its grid as it works to clear an overwhelming backlog, largely from solar projects. (Inside Climate News)
• ISO-New England’s president warns that the region’s grid is walking a tightrope this winter, saying severe weather and a power plant shutdown could bring about major outages. (CommonWealth)
• Maryland approves new funding to build microgrids and other distributed energy resources throughout the state. (Daily Record)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: New York environmental justice leaders develop new criteria to identify disadvantaged communities as they look to prioritize those areas when enacting climate and clean energy provisions. (Grist)

SOLAR:
• A Maine public advocate says the state’s community solar program allows developers to sell renewable energy credits to polluters, canceling out assumed environmental benefits for customers who buy the electricity. (Maine Public)
• One Connecticut solar farm is approved to host sheep and vegetable farming, while another is set to grow organic vegetables. (PV Magazine)
• A western New York town enacts a solar moratorium for six months after a previous project raised public opposition. (Union-Sun and Journal)

HEATING:
• Massachusetts regulators approve $4 billion in new energy affordability incentives that include hundreds of millions of dollars for customers to install electric heat pumps. (Boston Globe)
• Maine and Connecticut elevate home heating assistance programs to help residents make it through the remaining weeks of winter. (Maine Public, CTPost)

UTILITIES: Maine Gov. Janet Mills prepares legislation that would address utility performance issues with the threat of fees and forced asset sales. (Portland Press Herald)

OIL & GAS:
• A Pennsylvania bill would require the state to sell credits created by government-owned clean energy projects and use the funding to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells. (StateImpact)
• National Grid and New York state postpone a decision on a permit to expand natural gas production at a New York City facility, the sixth delay since the utility first requested the permit. (Gothamist)

WIND: Construction of New York’s first offshore wind farm will begin this month east of Long Island following years of false starts. (Canary Media)

EFFICIENCY: Norwich, Connecticut, approves seven grants to fund energy efficiency upgrades at nonprofits in the city. (The Day)

HYDROPOWER: A New Jersey assembly member floats a bill to bolster wave energy development as a part of the state’s clean energy plan. (NJ Spotlight)

Kathryn brings her extensive editorial background to the Energy News Network team, where she oversees the early-morning production of ENN’s five email digest newsletters as well as distribution of ENN’s original journalism with other media outlets. From documenting chronic illness’ effect on college students to following the inner workings of Congress, Kathryn has built a broad experience in her more than five years working at major publications including The Week Magazine. Kathryn holds a Bachelor of Science in magazine journalism and information management and technology from Syracuse University.

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.