Advocates say Massachusetts solar program falling short

SOLAR: A coalition of Massachusetts advocates say the state’s new solar incentive program is failing to meet climate and equity goals. (Solar Power World)

ALSO: The solar industry grows to a record size in the first quarter but stay-at-home orders in New York and other states are expected to decimate residential installations. (Greentech Media)

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POLLUTION: A study says low-income and minority communities around Pittsburgh suffer higher death rates from pollution caused by industrial sources including fracking in the region. (Environmental Health News) 

CLEAN ENERGY:
• A Maryland activist says solar and wind projects can lead to an economic recovery in the state as it phases out its reliance on fossil fuel. (WDVM)
• Princeton, New Jersey begins its community aggregation program with about 90% of its households powered in part by renewable energy. (Next City)

EFFICIENCY: Delaware updates its building efficiency codes as part of its statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (news release)

TRANSPORTATION: Federal officials award Vermont nearly $800,000 to cover 80% of the cost of four electric buses. (VermontBiz)

MICROGRIDS: Maryland selects 14 sites from its solicitation for microgrid projects that will receive funding for feasibility analyses, engineering and planning. (Microgrid Knowledge)

PIPELINES: Activists organize a bike ride along a pipeline route in Brooklyn neighborhoods that received no opportunity for public input. (Grist)

UTILITIES: Union workers authorize a strike at New York’s Consolidated Edison when the current contract ends on June 20. (Reuters)

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TRANSMISSION: A virtual hearing for a 13-mile overhead transmission line on Cape Cod for reliability drew few public comments. (Cape Cod Times)

COMMENTARY:
• A Maryland environmental organization says a new approach is needed to confront climate change, one from convincing everyone of its reality to giving elected leaders specific tasks to address it. (Capital Gazette)
• The Massachusetts Farm Bureau says new solar siting regulations make adding projects to agricultural lands to help farms stay in business much more difficult. (CommonWealth Magazine)