A constellation of nuclear upgrades

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Northeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

NUCLEAR

• The DOE offers a conditional loan of up to $5 billion for Constellation to increase the power output of its nuclear fleet, including reactors in Maryland and Pennsylvania. (Canary Media)

WIND

• Vermont signs a memorandum of understanding with Nova Scotia to explore collaboratively developing wind power off the coast of the Canadian province and sending it to New England. (Seven Days)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Pennsylvania awards a new, $37 million round of federal EV charger funding for companies and local governments to build 515 new charging stations in the Philadelphia area. (WHYY)

EFFICIENCY

• The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities closes a five-year program that directed nearly $180 million in federal funding to energy-efficiency projects benefiting schools and small businesses. (ROI-NJ.com)

GRID

• PJM Interconnection kicks off a long-awaited stakeholder process to reform its market rules and allow existing solar and wind farms to add battery storage. (Canary Media)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Average heating oil prices across Maine hit a record $6.05 a gallon. (Sun Journal) 
• Debate continues over the size of a new pipeline that will carry natural gas to Cape Cod. (NENC)

TRANSMISSION

• Long Island school leaders ask New York regulators to reconsider their approval of the Propel NY transmission project, saying construction and safety concerns could disrupt schools. (Long Island Press)

SOLAR

• Jay, Maine, leaders hear more details about Walden Renewables’ plan for a 150-MW solar development spread across six sites, just days before voters will decide whether to approve a 180-day moratorium on solar development in the town. (Maine Monitor)