2021 coal terminal explosion settlement approved by federal judge

FOSSIL FUELS: A federal judge approves a $1.75 million settlement in a class action lawsuit regarding a 2021 coal terminal explosion in Baltimore’s Curtis Bay, equal to around $3,000 per impacted property — an amount some plaintiffs say isn’t enough. (Baltimore Sun)

ALSO:

• Pittsburgh-area environmental justice activists say discussion around President Biden’s plan to block the U.S. Steel-Nippon Steel merger ignores their concerns around coal-related air pollution. (EHN)

• An Environmental Defense Fund-commissioned report finds using gas-hydrogen blends to heat buildings would achieve only single-digit emissions reductions, while heat pumps would be much more efficient. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• A Philadelphia news outlet fact checks a claim by former President Trump during this week’s presidential debate regarding a president’s ability to ban fracking in Pennsylvania; only an act of Congress could do that. (WHYY)
• A roadway is shut down in New York’s Madison County over a gas leak that occurred after workers demolishing a building struck its gas line. (WSYR)

WIND: Many East Coast states are relying on planned offshore wind projects to meet their renewable power goals, but recent GE Vernova blade failures worry some observers, like the fishing community, about the safety and reliability of the components. (New York Times)

SOLAR: An elderly Black resident of New York City’s Queens borough sues a solar company and its financing partner over ​“fraudulent, deceptive, and abusive business practices” and age- and race-based discrimination, claiming she never signed an exorbitant contract for rooftop solar. (New York Focus)

GRID:

• New York’s grid operator publishes a $204 million draft budget for next year that reflects a 4.72% increase over 2024’s budget, with almost 3% higher administrative fees. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• At a federal energy regulators’ workshop, National Grid and Constellation Energy suggest prioritizing interconnection requests to expedite more projects, but some say that could restrict open access to the grid. (Utility Dive)
• Maryland’s biggest agriculture trade group comes out in opposition of the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, citing concern that it would directly impact the farmland of over two dozen of its members. (Fox 45)

BUILDINGS: Two New York City council members look to lock in plans to bring renewable energy to Rikers Island instead of other proposed building concepts, introducing a bill that would require the city to have a plan to do so before 2027. (The City)

TRANSIT: New York’s governor wants to lower the planned toll amount for the Manhattan traffic congestion pricing plan, but that could mean a long road ahead if she wants tolls lower than the $9 mark already studied. (Gothamist)

COMMENTARY: As hundreds of people die each summer in New York City because of extreme heat, officials must pass the Tenants’ Right to Cooling Bill to protect equitable cooling access, two advocates write. (City Limits)