BIOMASS: A new law encouraging wood-fired combined heat and power plants in Maine is drawing praise for its potential economic and environmental benefits, but some climate activists are skeptical the program will cut carbon emissions. (Energy News Network)
GAS:
• A Pennsylvania utility reports it has found no evidence to suggest its gas distribution system caused an explosion that killed multiple people in Pottstown. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Business leaders convene in Pennsylvania to discuss why they think the state should allow more gas production in the Marcellus Shale. (Pennsylvania Business Report)
• In northwestern Pennsylvania, 18 “high-priority polluting wells” will be capped in Allegheny National Forest. (Penn Live Patriot News)
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CRYPTOCURRENCY: New York’s proposed moratorium on cryptocurrency mining operations directly powered by fossil fuel-fired facilities likely won’t pass this legislative session. (Politico NY)
INCINERATION: A Rhode Island state legislator files a bill to allow some types of high-heat waste-to-energy facilities to operate in the state, despite pushback from climate and public health advocates. (Providence Journal)
CLIMATE: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy reportedly intends to enact emergency regulations guiding new construction and development in areas prone to increased flooding exacerbated by the climate crisis. (NJ Advance Media)
CLEAN ENERGY: New York City’s mayor proposes zoning changes that he says should accelerate the development of energy storage, electric vehicle charging stations, building electrification and retrofits. (SI Live)
EQUITY:
• New Jersey environmental protection officials propose a policy that would require state regulators to consider the cumulative impact of polluting facilities on surrounding communities. (NJ Spotlight)
• A new report finds that making walkability more racially equitable in Washington, D.C., will require addressing noise and air pollution exposure, among other considerations. (WTOP)
BUILDINGS: A New Jersey-based real estate company discusses its carbon emissions goals, why it hasn’t set a net-zero target and the “green lease” amendments it’s introducing to commit tenants to energy and resource efficiency. (BisNow)
GRID:
• New England’s grid operator says there should be enough power generated to fulfill customer demand this summer but that rolling blackouts may be necessary under extreme weather conditions. (InDepth NH)
• A water utility joins some residents and officials in a coastal Connecticut town to oppose a proposed energy storage facility they fear would harm a local aquifer. (The Day)
• Some speakers at the New England conference of utility leaders are already warning of fuel constraints on ISO-New England’s grid this upcoming winter. (RTO Insider, subscription)
WIND:
• Several offshore wind trade groups seek to dismiss a New Jersey lawsuit claiming state officials failed to follow a federal environmental protection law when they held a lease auction in the New York Bight. (NJ Spotlight)
• If it is allowed to use just one onshore interconnection point for two adjacent offshore wind projects, Mayflower Wind says the facilities’ power prices would drop 10%. (RTO Insider, subscription)
HYDROPOWER: Hydroelectric producers ask New York’s utility commission to allow them access to the same financial incentives available to solar and wind facilities. (Adirondack Explorer)
ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A coastal Maine city adds enough new electric vehicle stations to triple its charging capacity, much of which is powered by municipal solar. (Bangor Daily News)
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