Feds approve 2.6 GW offshore wind projects

WIND: Federal ocean energy officials authorize construction and operations of the New England Wind 1 and 2 offshore projects, which developer Avangrid plans to have a cumulative capacity of up to 2.6 GW off the coast of Barnstable, Massachusetts. (news release)

ALSO: Delaware’s governor signs into law a plan to create an offshore wind procurement process for 1.2 GW of generation capacity. (WHYY, Offshore Wind Biz)

LEGAL: Federal energy regulators say a wholesale power marketing company found to have conducted illegal trades to increase their renewable energy credits in Massachusetts will pay a $1.5 million federal fine in addition to around $372,000 to the state. (RTO Insider, subscription)

HYDROPOWER: A new Vermont law brings all of the states’ dams, including the 21 hydroelectric dams, under the oversight of the state environmental conservation agency, a measure intended to improve dam safety and reduce flood risk. (VT Digger)

BIOGAS: A new biogas facility in New York’s Steuben County will use thousands of gallons of cow manure and discarded dairy products to create an estimated 8 million kWh of electricity every year for two local dairy and yogurt businesses. (news release)

GRID: Pennsylvania utility Duquesne Light promises new outage management upgrades after a recent storm knocked out power to some customers for days. (Trib Live)

SOLAR:

• In New York, a newer state grant program aims to increase the number of non-sheep grazing agrivoltaic projects, providing up to $750,000 per project to stakeholders ranging from farmers and nonprofits to developers and localities. (NCPR)
• In Canton, New York, local officials frustrated with the recent approval of the 240 MW Rich Road solar project say the odds of fighting the decision are ​“stacked against” them given the cost of legal action. (North Country Now)
• More townships in Pennsylvania’s Westmoreland County look to draft solar ordinances to get in front of new project applications and address concerns early. (Trib Live)
• A Pennsylvania town plans to amend its solar ordinance later this month to incorporate state-level stormwater calculations. (River Reporter)

TRANSIT: The governor of New York’s reversal of the Manhattan traffic congestion pricing plan doesn’t only mean the loss of billions in future tolls — it also means the waste of around $700 million in prep work over 17 years and dozens of employees already hired for related customer service roles. (Wall Street Journal)

BUILDINGS: Federal energy officials grant $18.5 million to multiple states and municipalities for energy efficiency and solar projects, including Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania jurisdictions. (news release)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• North Hudson, New York, is now home to an electric vehicle charging station with 12 chargers, with plans underway to install another 12. (WCAX)
• EV drivers charging up in Somerville, Massachusetts, will now pay to use the city’s public stations to help reduce spot idling. (WBUR)