$2.3B Pennsylvania hydropower dam opposed by enviros, lawmakers

HYDROPOWER: Environmentalists and legislators from Pennsylvania’s York and Lancaster counties come together to oppose the $2.3 billion Cuffs Run hydroelectric project, citing economic, ecological and cultural concerns. (York Dispatch, WITF)

POLICY:

• Without further action, two Philadelphia-area counties will likely fail to meet a new federal standard for soot by 2032, according to federal estimates. (WHYY)
• Maryland lawmakers have introduced over 70 energy-related bills in the first month of their 2024 session, some of which have competing objectives. (RTO Insider, subscription)

FINANCE:

• New York environmentalists eagerly await an upcoming decision by the state’s comptroller regarding a potential divestment of fossil fuel stocks in the state’s largest pension fund. (Inside Climate News)
• A recent report finds the Maine pension system has so far failed to put guidelines in place to ensure it makes climate-friendly investments. (Maine Morning Star)

SOLAR:

• A new study finds some Pennsylvania farmers want more than just stable paychecks from solar projects on their acreage — they also want to preserve their farmland for its traditional use, but agrivoltaic practices haven’t been included in standard contract terms. (news release)
• A Maryland energy program opens a new round of grant funding for community solar projects benefiting low-to-moderate income people. (news release)

EMISSIONS: Residents of Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley wait to see how much of a difference the latest legal settlement with the highly air-polluting Clairton Coke Works will make in their lives. (Public Source)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• Maine officials plan to make a public decision on the home of a future offshore wind port in the coming weeks, although the process that has so far indicated Sears Island will be selected despite conservationists’ concerns. (Bangor Daily News)
• New York issues $4 million in offshore wind workforce training grants to Stony Brook University and seven other state college campuses. (news release)

TRANSIT:

• Massachusetts’ governor says tax increases may be necessary to maintain service on the MBTA, the Boston area’s transit network, while observers question why the state seems to be lacking urgency to address the funding issue. (Boston Herald, Boston Globe)
• New Jersey’s state Assembly advances a bill to incentivize affordable housing near key transit and grocery centers. (Gothamist)

FLOODING:

• With a nor’easter predicted to barrel through southern New England today, Massachusetts’ South Shore area prepares for predicted high tides, flooding and snow. (WCVB, Patriot Ledger)
• Maine’s governor says she intends to soon introduce a bill to add $50 million to a state climate resiliency and infrastructure rebuilding fund following several damaging winter storms. (Portland Press Herald)