Environmental justice law fails to stop New Jersey gas plant

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: A natural gas-fired backup power plant for a New Jersey wastewater facility will move forward in a mostly BIPOC Newark community already burdened by pollution, but with strict controls on pollution and a requirement for a solar and storage system. (Associated Press)

ALSO: While a state official says the restrictions will ​“improve baseline conditions,” advocates remain skeptical and contrast the decision with the recent rejection of a NJ Transit gas plant opposed by primarily White residents. (NJ Spotlight)

WIND:

• Vineyard Wind says a ​“significant part” of a damaged wind turbine blade has fallen into the ocean, warning of additional debris washing ashore over the weekend. (WBUR)
• The company that manufactured the turbine, GE Vernova, says the cause is still not known, but says it is ​“unrelated” to a similar incident at one of its turbines in Europe in May. (Reuters)
• The Vineyard Wind incident was cited by Republican lawmakers in their opposition to a Massachusetts clean energy bill; which passed on a 131-25 vote. (State House News Service) 

NUCLEAR: Massachusetts regulators deny a request from the company decommissioning the Pilgrim nuclear plant to dump treated wastewater into Cape Cod Bay. (WBUR)

NATURAL GAS: While acknowledging it’s likely a ​“freak incident,” officials in a Vermont town are rattled after a truck hauling natural gas catches fire, roughly a year after a similar incident in the same location. (WCAX)

BIOENERGY: As New York dairy farmers increasingly adopt biodigesters to turn farm waste into energy, environmental advocates warn the technology could have unintended consequences. (WSKG)

SOLAR:

• A study from Penn State researchers finds stormwater runoff from solar farms can be easily mitigated, which they say should encourage installations on ​“more challenging marginal lands.” (news release)
• A small Massachusetts town considers a 2 MW solar array atop a former landfill. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

BUILDINGS:

• New York’s state Capitol will be part of a $100 million effort to decarbonize state buildings. (Albany Times Union)
• A new Boston affordable housing complex incorporates high-efficiency heat pumps and a solar-powered backup battery to power emergency systems. (Bay State Banner)

COMMENTARY:

• A New York advocate says the state is ​“twisting itself into legal pretzels” to avoid using a voter-passed Green Amendment to crack down on polluting industries. (City Limits)
• A Maryland official says a recent executive order from Gov. Wes Moore will help advance low-emission HVAC systems to help keep residents cool amid more frequent heat waves. (Maryland Matters)