Clean energy eyed for New Hampshire coal plant site’s future

CLEAN ENERGY: The location of a New Hampshire coal plant primes it well for a future of supporting offshore wind and energy storage projects, according to the facility’s owner. (Granite Geek)

EQUITY: Massachusetts’ residents with limited English proficiency face linguistic barriers to participating in or benefiting from the state’s energy assistance, assessment and weatherization programs. (WBUR/​El Planeta)

CLIMATE: Even if Vermont’s governor, who hasn’t promised his signature, vetoes legislation making fossil fuel companies pay for climate damages, the legislature appears to have enough support to override him. (Heatmap)

WIND:

• A University of Maine research team is exploring recycling options for decommissioned wind turbines, including in 3D printing and construction, with help from a Department of Energy grant. (News Center Maine)
• New Jersey environment officials will host several public hearings, both in-person and virtual, this month to hear opinions about the Atlantic Shores South Offshore wind project. (Patch)
• The University of Maine continues to be a major global player in floating offshore wind turbine research, as developers remain hesitant because of the technology’s high cost. (Associated Press)

GRID:

• A PJM Interconnection stakeholders group wants the grid operator to engage in more ​“proactive,” ​“holistic” regional planning that incorporates more flexibility to maintain reliability through generation resource retirements. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• A new Columbia University report finds that the length of PJM’s interconnection queue is leading to longer project construction time frames. (RTO Insider, subscription)

SOLAR:

• A developer begins construction of a 19 MW solar project at a former composting facility, now a brownfield site in need of environmental remediation, in Warren County, New Jersey. (news release)
• A spin-off startup out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology raises $5.6 million in a pre-seed funding round for its lightweight, flexible solar panel development. (PV Magazine)
• Westerly, Rhode Island’s planning board gives final approval for a small ground-mounted solar project, with conditions including drafting a decommissioning plan and avoiding rare plant species. (Westerly Sun)
• In Groton, Connecticut, two public schools that installed rooftop solar panels are expected to save a collective $40,000 on annual energy bills. (WTNH)
• A community solar coalition highlights a finding in a recent Maine utility commission analysis that the state sees $30 million in net benefits derived from its net energy billing program. (news release)

TRANSIT: The transit agency of Pennsylvania’s Cambria County purchases four new compressed natural gas buses to replace four diesel models. (Tribune-Democrat)