Connecticut Republicans block climate bill

POLICY: Connecticut Republicans filibuster and block a climate bill that, among other measures, would’ve declared a climate emergency in the state. (CT Mirror)

GRID:

• Federal energy officials announce 10 areas across the country — including New York, New England and the mid-Atlantic — where they want to use unprecedented federal power to quickly fund and build major transmission projects that connect regional grids. (Canary Media, Utility Dive)
• A Vermont public utility plans to install a nearly 5 MW battery storage project in Morrisville to shore up grid reliability. (news release)

BUILDINGS:

• Renovating the aging buildings on the City University of New York’s campus would help New York City make progress on two of its priorities: revitalizing the campus and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (City Limits)
• New York launches a pilot program in which hospitals insured by the New York State Insurance Fund can voluntarily pledge to reach net-zero by 2050 in exchange for up to $1 million in premium credits. (Finger Lakes Daily News)

HYDROELECTRIC:

• Several Massachusetts lawmakers want federal energy regulators to only relicense a hydroelectric facility for 30 years, not the operator’s requested 50, and require monitoring to make sure the site complies with environmental standards. (Greenfield Recorder)
• The operators of four Kennebec River hydroelectric dams in Maine currently under relicensing propose new fish protection measures. (Bangor Daily News)

SOLAR:

• Activists push Philadelphia utility PECO to incorporate more renewable energy into its power mix; currently, the utility plans to spend only 50 cents on solar for every 100 dollars on energy purchases. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Most commenters at a public meeting on the 240 MW Rich Road solar project in Canton, New York, focused on safety concerns, although others discussed aesthetic and wildlife problems. (North Country Now)
• A Massachusetts town will soon vote on whether to install a solar array on a new public safety center at a cost of $182,000 before federal incentives. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

UTILITIES:

• Maryland’s governor is poised to sign into law new regulations aimed at protecting victims of third-party energy suppliers, including licensing changes and more state regulatory commission oversight. (Inside Climate News)
• In Dover, Delaware, the state’s largest municipal utility joins the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, which now has all nine community power utilities within its network. (news release)

WORKFORCE: A study commissioned by Maine’s energy office suggests the state is more than halfway to its goal of 30,000 clean energy workers by 2030. (Maine Public Radio)

EMISSIONS: Several Philadelphia hospitals plan to stop using desflurane, a potent greenhouse gas frequently used in anesthesia, in favor of a gas that is better for both patients and the environment. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

TRANSIT:

• Vermont’s significant public transportation gap isolates elderly and disabled Vermonters from making appointments, getting groceries and enjoying life outside of the home. (Seven Days)
• Federal transit officials grant just over $60 million to Rhode Island public transit projects. (PBN)