OVERSIGHT: A Connecticut lawmaker proposes term limits for state utility regulators, saying “the longer you serve there, the more you hobnob with the people you regulate.” (CT Insider)

CLEAN ENERGY:
• New Jersey postpones public hearings on an update to the state’s clean energy plan, saying more time is needed to model economic and environmental impacts. (NJ.com)
• A report notes that interconnection costs in PJM have increased significantly, and are “surprisingly high” for solar and storage projects. (Utility Dive) 

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WIND:
• A radio segment explores how a small number of anti-wind groups were able to push a false narrative that offshore wind development was causing whale deaths in the mid-Atlantic, and why some news organizations went along with it. (WNYC)
• A floating offshore wind pilot project in Maine clears a key federal permitting hurdle. (Maritime Executive)

UTILITIES: Dozens of bills have been filed in the Connecticut legislature to address high energy costs, as a key lawmaker says colleagues need to “do this right and not react emotionally.” (CT Mirror)

EFFICIENCY: A clean energy advocate expresses concern that New Hampshire regulators’ investigation into efficiency programs could undermine future efforts. (NHPR)

ELECTRIFICATION:
• Advocates say heat pump technology continues to improve and can be a key climate solution in cold-weather states like Pennsylvania. (WESA)
• New York City Mayor Eric Adams defends gas stoves as state Republicans call Gov. Kathy Hochul a “hypocrite” for using gas appliances in her own home as the state weighs a ban on new natural gas connections; meanwhile, experts continue to advise that those who can afford it should switch to induction stoves. (Gothamist, New York Post, ProPublica)
• Maine U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree calls for an investigation into a gas industry group that allegedly paid TV personalities to promote propane without disclosing their funding source. (E&E News, subscription)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: More Massachusetts schools are adopting electric buses with help from new financing models and government incentives. (WBUR)

SOLAR:
• A New York farmer says solar power can be a more profitable use of farmland as labor costs go up, and notes that unlike other types of development, solar arrays can be easily removed. (Batavian)
• A 1 MW solar array goes online at a New Jersey warehouse, offsetting more than half of the facility’s electricity use. (PV Magazine)

COMMENTARY:
• Two physicians say the advancement of three energy projects in Massachusetts environmental justice communities perpetuates structural racism and ignores recently passed protections. (CommonWealth Magazine)
• A journalist writes that Maine’s dependence on imported fossil fuels means “we’re not as self-reliant as we may think we are.” (Sun Journal)
• A climate advocate says a proposed hydrogen hub in Pennsylvania is another “heavily subsidized economic development shiny object” that will fail to deliver on its promise. (PennLive)

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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.

Ken is the director of the Energy News Network at Fresh Energy and is a founding editor of both Midwest Energy News and Southeast Energy News. Prior to joining Fresh Energy, he was the managing editor for online news at Minnesota Public Radio. He started his journalism career in 2002 as a copy editor for the Duluth News Tribune before spending five years at the Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington, where he worked as a copy editor, online producer, features editor and night city editor. A Nebraska native, Ken has a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a master's degree from the University of Oregon. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and Investigative Reporters and Editors.