Boston training program aims for more diverse solar workforce

CORRECTION: The owners of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant are seeking a $1.6 billion loan guarantee; an item in yesterday’s newsletter listed the wrong amount. 

EQUITY: A solar technician training course in Boston aims to build a more diverse workforce to accelerate the rate of solar installations and help residents of underserved communities. (WBUR)

WIND: Even after receiving major federal funding, significant challenges remain for plans to connect Northern Maine wind projects to the New England grid. (RTO Insider, subscription)

NUCLEAR: Using nuclear plants to feed power-hungry data centers could divert much-needed clean energy from the regional grid, says a Maryland public services commissioner. (RTO Insider, subscription)

SOLAR:

• Building a 2.8-megawatt community solar project on a former Army depot in New York came with significant challenges, but allowed otherwise unused land to generate renewable power. (Solar Power World)
• Pittsburgh International Airport plans to double the size of its eight-acre solar array, part of an onsite microgrid that has already helped in cut carbon emissions. (Runway Girl)

MICROGRIDS: The Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine is developing a microgrid including solar and battery storage to serve 202 homes in one coastal town, boosted by a $7.5 million award from the EPA. (Microgrid Knowledge)

GRID: At a hearing on electric rates, PJM executive urges New Jersey lawmakers not to shut down any existing power plants before new resources come online, as increasing electrification and growing adoption of electric vehicles are helping push up demand. (New Jersey Monitor)

INNOVATION: New York’s energy department has awarded $24 million to projects promoting clean energy innovation, including new battery storage technology, clean hydrogen production, and efficient heating and cooling systems. (news release)

STORAGE:

• Four New York universities, an industry group, and an innovation nonprofit have formed a research and development coalition with the goal of making upstate New York a global leader in battery storage technology and production. (WBNG)
• A 1.2 gigawatt-hour battery storage facility is making its way through the permitting process in Massachusetts. (PV Magazine)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• While fires involving electric bikes and scooters remain rare, New York City is seeing fewer resulting fatalities, showing safety rules discouraging charging inside buildings are working. (New York Times)
• Nearly 184,000 electric vehicles were registered in New Jersey as of June 2024, nearly a 20% increase over last year. (NJ Spotlight News)

RENEWABLES: Six small businesses in New Hampshire and Vermont that have been awarded a total of $2.7 million in federal renewable energy funding for projects including rooftop solar arrays and biomass heat recovery equipment. (VermontBiz)

COMMENTARY: Two activists say the Massachusetts Port Authority should pull the plug on a plan to add up to 6,000 private jet flights —– and up to 150,000 tons of carbon dioxide —– per year to a suburban airport. (Boston Herald)