National grid plots transition away from fossil fuel gas in Massachusetts

Northeast Energy News is one of five regional services published by the Energy News Network. Today’s edition was compiled by Bridget Reed Morawski.

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GAS: National Grid files a plan with Massachusetts regulators to transition its natural gas service in the state completely away from fossil fuel-derived gas by 2050, instead pinning its future to renewable natural gas and renewable hydrogen. (RTO Insider, subscription)

ALSO: Several proposals are on the table in New York that would either outright ban gas connections in new buildings or would remove policies that encourage the infrastructure. (NY State of Politics)

SOLAR: After a six-month moratorium on solar projects, city officials in Warwick, Rhode Island, decide that any new ground-mounted solar developments must be sited on previously developed commercial or industrial land. (ecoRI)

CLIMATE:
• Hurricane Ida-related stormwater damage in a New Jersey secondary school is just one example of how the nation’s schools aren’t prepared for climate change. (WHYY)
• Some New Hampshire teachers use straightforward science experiments to educate their students on climate change while trying to instill a sense of civic responsibility over paralyzing fear. (New Hampshire Public Radio)

GRID: Early results from ISO New England’s 2050 Transmission Study indicate that around half of the grid operator’s 9,000 miles of power lines may become overloaded if peak power demand doubles. (RTO Insider, subscription)

UTILITIES:
• A Maine legislative committee divides into three camps of opinion while assessing the governor’s proposed utility accountability bill. (Portland Press Herald)
• New Jersey lawmakers consider letting residents defer utility bill payments while they apply for state assistance as nearly a million people in the state fall behind on bills. (New Jersey Monitor)
• Numerous utilities across New York are seeking ways to prevent severe customer price volatility through their power purchasing practices. (RTO Insider, subscription)

EFFICIENCY:
• Maryland’s General Assembly passes bills that will require the state to fund energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households. (Renewable Energy Magazine)
• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont wants landlords to include an “energy label” in apartment listings so potential renters can compare the cost of running appliances between different units. (CT Insider)
• A New York town is using $1.1 million in state funds to replace almost 600 streetlights with LED models, a project that should be completed by August. (Observer-Dispatch)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• New York’s Nassau County will spend $7.5 million to buy its first six electric public buses; county transit officials plan to eventually electrify the entire 275-bus fleet. (CBS New York)
• Maryland’s House passes a bill extending an electric vehicle tax credit but reducing the eligible vehicle sticker price. (Maryland Matters)
• New York utility regulators must devise a rate structure to pay for fast-charging electric vehicle infrastructures, following a new law signed late last week shifting that responsibility over from the state’s utilities. (Bloomberg Tax, subscription)

TECHNOLOGY: A New Jersey lawmaker plans legislation to encourage wave-powered energy generation along the state’s coast. (CBS New York)

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