CLIMATE: A Pennsylvania judge approves an injunction against the state’s entrance into a regional carbon pricing program, ruling in favor of fossil fuel interests claiming it’s a tax that requires legislative approval. (Penn-Live Patriot News, Associated Press)
ALSO:
• Massachusetts is one of the few states without a state climatologist, with observers criticizing the lack of funding for what should be a key position for evaluating climate data. (Boston Globe)
• In Boston, a proposed flooding mitigation plan would install floating biomass mats to slow down storm surge, as well as provide paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. (NBC Boston)
EFFICIENCY: Connecticut energy officials expect to see over double their return on investment in a $708 million energy efficiency plan targeting the homes with the largest overdue utility bills and the most frequent service shutoffs. (Utility Dive)
GRID:
• Starting in September, a Maryland county will use a microgrid powered by solar canopies to charge up its electric buses. (Washington Post)
• As Massachusetts anxiously awaits to hear of the fate of Central Maine Power’s power line corridor in the courts, some observers wonder whether a proposed northern Maine transmission project could fill in the gap. (Bangor Daily News)
SOLAR:
• In New Hampshire, a new law intends to help support development of community solar projects benefiting low-to-moderate-income families who can’t install their own panels. (New Hampshire Public Radio)
• A Maine bank says its over $1 million investment in a solar farm has helped the financial institution offset virtually all of its electricity usage at its physical locations. (Mainebiz)
• A New Jersey school district plans to install numerous rooftop solar arrays across its buildings, with the project’s energy savings funding a HVAC upgrade. (Asbury Park Press)
AFFORDABILITY: Pennsylvania lawmakers consider legislation requiring the state to completely spend its home heating assistance funds every year and not carry any money over to the next. (WESA)
TRANSIT: Maryland transit officials say ridership across its services still has not returned to anywhere near pre-pandemic usage. (Daily Record)
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