An uphill battle for climate action in Vermont

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

CLEAN ENERGY

• Democratic lawmakers in Vermont face significant challenges passing any bills to advance clean energy measures this session, as Gov. Phil Scott attempts to roll back parts of the state’s landmark climate law. (Canary Media)

• A plan to transform a fossil fuel power plant in Queens into a hub for wind, geothermal, and storage, including a transmission line to a future offshore wind farm, is complicated by the Trump administration’s pause on further offshore wind development. (Gothamist)

SOLAR

• Maine legislators consider a bill that would require barriers around solar farms, shielding them from public view, as local opposition to community solar projects continues to mount around the state. (Maine Public, Bangor Daily News)

AFFORDABILITY

• New York’s energy bills could go up if the Trump administration follows through on threats to pull funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, according to a new report from the state comptroller. (WSKG)

• Rhode Island legislators scramble to find ways to rein in soaring energy bills, including proposals to cap bills based on income, lower the profits utilities are allowed to earn, buy more nuclear power, and establish a public utility. (Rhode Island Current)

EMISSIONS

• The U.S. EPA cancels a $500,000 grant to support monitoring of air quality near a Delaware oil refinery, as part of the agency’s attempts to eliminate programs with an environmental justice mission. (Delaware Online)

• A new study finds dozens of New York City building owners will choose to pay a penalty rather than undertake extensive energy-saving retrofits on their properties, saying the cost of compliance would far outweigh the penalties. (Habitat)

• Despite missing a key milestone, a Maryland bill that would make waste incinerators ineligible for renewable energy subsidies is likely to get wrapped into a larger energy bill later this session, supporters say. (Maryland Matters)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Pennsylvania’s attorney general launches a criminal investigation into a pipeline leak that released 156 barrels of aviation fuel, contaminating at least six drinking water wells, and went on for at least 16 months before being detected. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

HYDRO

• A group of Massachusetts state legislators travel to Canada to tour hydroelectric facilities that the state could source renewable power from, despite challenges created by federal policy. (CommonWealth Beacon)

NEW FROM CANARY MEDIA

• RMI research finds pairing renewable and fossil fuel generation into ​“power couples” could help data centers meet rising demand without drawing from the grid, Jeff St. John reports.