Five states challenge Eversource transmission line

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TRANSMISSION

• Public advocates from five New England states file a legal challenge against Eversource’s plan to rebuild 49 miles of transmission line in New Hampshire, arguing that the utility misclassified the project in an attempt to avoid more rigorous regulatory oversight. (Utility Dive)

• Federal regulators reject New England transmission owners’ request for a delay in refunding money it collected by including a too-high rate of return on its investments for 10 years. (RTO Insider)

GRID

• PJM, the largest grid operator in the U.S., faces a ​“serious legitimacy crisis,” amid faltering confidence in its governance and ability to respond to current conditions, says Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Laura Swett. (Utility Dive)

CLIMATE

• Environmental advocates feel betrayed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s push to roll back parts of the state’s climate law, while the governor says she is just responding to ​“reality.” (Gothamist)

DATA CENTERS

• Power prices in the PJM grid region rose nearly 76% in the first quarter, a jump analysts say is driven by actual and planned data centers. (E&E News)

• Pennsylvania, where nearly 60 data centers are in some stage of development, is seeing a rising tide of opposition to these facilities, even as Gov. Josh Shapiro promises to protect residents from high energy prices and environmental damage. (Inside Climate News)

• The utility serving Philadelphia and the surrounding area signs agreements with data centers requiring the energy facilities to pay for the grid upgrades their added load will require. (WHYY)

RENEWABLES

• Pennsylvania ranks 47th in the country for growth in renewable energy over the past 10 years, increasing capacity at less than half the rate of the national average, according to a recent report. (WGAL)

• An initiative installs solar panels on 40 affordable housing town homes in Maryland, funded in part by a grant from pop star Billie Eilish’s Changemaker Program. (Solar Power World)

OFFSHORE WIND

• By blocking offshore wind development in the Northeast and elsewhere, the Trump administration is allowing countries including China to outstrip the United States’ progress on renewable energy. (Associated Press)

EFFICIENCY

• A Maryland hotel project closes on $43 million in Property Assessed Clean Energy financing, which will support the installation of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, and advanced insulation. (news release)

COMMENTARY

• Building more offshore wind is the best shot New England has at lowering soaring energy bills while lowering carbon emissions and creating well-paying jobs, says a New Hampshire environmental advocate. (New Hampshire Bulletin)