CLEAN ENERGY: New York’s clean energy future hinges on the progress it can make this year toward a carbon cap-and-invest program; allowing the state public utility to build, own and operate renewable power projects; and instituting a new construction gas ban. (E&E News)

ALSO: In Pennsylvania, environmental and labor leaders are optimistic new U.S. Sen. John Fetterman can thread the needle to support both their priorities in the clean energy transition. (E&E News)

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GRID:
• Federal officials arrested two people they say planned to shoot at multiple Baltimore substations in a “racially motivated attack” that the suspects thought would “permanently completely lay this city to waste.” (New York Times, The Hill)
• New York’s grid operator tells several energy companies and utilities not to try to influence its transmission project decisions. (Utility Dive)
• Baltimore’s city council begins studying a mayor-supported agreement that would let the local utility stop making payments for use of the city’s underground utility line conduit if it instead manages and pays for maintenance. (Baltimore Sun)

BUILDINGS: Despite fossil fuel industry claims that heat pumps aren’t great for the state’s cold climate, the technology’s popularity in Maine continues to rise. (Washington Post)

OIL & GAS:
• A gas leak in New York’s Hudson Valley shut down several major roadways over the weekend. (WRRV)
• New York environmental officials say they are investigating two separate incidents at a Cohoes manufacturer’s site: a 200-gallon fuel oil spill that occurred last week and neighbors’ reports of a smell of burning tires. (WAMC)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Twenty Boston school buses powered by diesel fuel will be upgraded to electric in the coming weeks. (Boston.com)

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UTILITIES: The chair of Connecticut’s utility regulator says performance-based rates will likely be in effect for utilities in a year. (Utility Dive)

SOLAR:
• Comcast will offtake 70 MW from the Gravel Pit solar project in East Windsor, Connecticut, to power almost half of its New England operations. (Hartford Courant)
• A New York community college and a solar developer create an entry-level solar curriculum to support a solar installer certificate program. (news release)

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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.