EV setbacks frustrate Maine, Connecticut advocates

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: After setbacks to adopting electric vehicle sales targets in Maine and Connecticut, frustrated New England clean transportation advocates refocus on charging infrastructure and consumer education. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:

• New York’s governor announces plans to add another 100 electric vehicle fast-charging stations in New York City. (SI Live)
• New Jersey car dealerships say they aren’t selling nearly enough electric vehicles or seeing enough interest to meet the state’s clean transportation goals. (NJ Advance Media)
• Saratoga Springs, New York, kicks off an electric vehicle campaign to share the benefits of such vehicles with residents, highlight financial incentives for purchase and host outreach events, like a car show. (news release)

POLICY:

• Vermont state senators advance legislation to create a climate change Superfund and require fossil fuel majors to pay for climate damage in the state, although the state’s governor wants larger states to take the lead. (VT Digger)
• The need to incorporate two new state requirements around equity and energy siting has delayed the final approval of Shaftsbury, Vermont’s enhanced energy plan by its planning commission. (Bennington Banner)

OFFSHORE WIND: Boston’s mayor throws her support behind Avangrid Renewables’ bid to develop an offshore wind farm supporting Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, saying the city would purchase up to 15 MW from the site. (Boston.com)

SOLAR:

• Central Maine Power asks state regulators to let it bill ratepayers to recover its stranded costs, a plan that would raise the average bill by around 12%, blaming some of the rising costs on net energy billing and solar incentives. (Portland Press Herald, News Center Maine)
• Federal agriculture officials direct $6 million to fund 31 solar energy projects across Pennsylvania, mostly in Lancaster and Bradford counties. (Center Square)

FOSSIL FUELS:

• Some members of a small central Pennsylvania township fight a proposal to locate a chemical recycling facility in their community, citing concern it will increase pollution and further entrench them in the fossil fuel industry. (Environmental Health News)
• New York environmental groups want state lawmakers to pass the NY Heat Act faster to stop new gas infrastructure. (City Limits)
• While Pennsylvania’s year-over-year carbon dioxide emissions declined 10% in 2023 — the largest drop since 1990 — the state still depends more heavily than other states on fossil gas for power generation. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

FUEL CELLS: Massachusetts’ governor and other top state officials visit Nuvera Fuel Cells in Billerica to announce $30 million in federal funds for the hydrogen fuel cell company. (Lowell Sun)

INCINERATION: Dozens of community and climate groups ask Maryland’s governor and legislative leaders to hold a vote on a bill to end subsidies for trash incineration plants. (Baltimore Brew)