Baltimore’s Constellation Energy buys gas power producer

GRID: As technology companies scramble to secure more power for their growing data centers, Baltimore-based Constellation Energy agrees to acquire energy producer Calpine — and its large fleet of natural gas fired plants — for $16.4 billion. (New York Times)

ALSO:

• In Connecticut, state leaders and lawmakers express concern about the strain data centers could put on the grid in coming years. (CT Insider)
• Federal regulators consider grid operator PJM’s request to address reliability concerns by fast-tracking approvals for some ​“shovel-ready” generation projects, but renewable energy developers and climate advocates say the proposal is discriminatory and unlikely to achieve its stated goals. (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE:

• New York lawmakers are already considering changes to a newly signed law requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for climate change damages, aiming to strengthen it against anticipated legal challenges. (Gothamist)
• Climate change attorneys say a Pennsylvania law against ​“causing or risking a catastrophe” could be used to bring criminal charges against fossil fuel companies for knowingly contributing to the climate crisis. (WHYY)
• New York environmental advocates are pushing the state to implement a carbon pricing program approved two years ago and pass a bill stopping natural gas companies from building out more infrastructure. (City Limits)

NATURAL GAS:

• Maine regulators have yet to open a promised investigation into the role natural gas will play in the state’s energy future. (Maine Morning Star)
• Following a 2019 home explosion that killed two people, a Pennsylvania gas utility agrees to offer all customers free methane detectors to provide early warnings of dangerous leaks from its aging infrastructure. (WHYY)

SOLAR: A community solar installation atop a Baltimore school will supply discounted power to 150 households and during construction provided job training and hands-on experience to local workers. (news release)

OFFSHORE WIND: A Maryland county and a coastal tourist town agree to pay $100,000 each to hire a consulting firm to advocate against a planned offshore wind farm, while the developer behind the project appeals a Delaware county’s denial of a permit for a needed onshore substation. (CoastTV, WBOC)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Massachusetts receives $14.4 million in federal funding for the installation of more than 470 electric vehicle charging stations at commuter rail and bus parking lots. (WCVB)

ELECTRIFICATION: New York farmers identify the pressure to transition to electric equipment and renewable energy as a major concern this year. (Spectrum News)