Green banks forge new paths

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Northeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

CLEAN ENERGY

• Green banks in Connecticut and New York are among those that have been forced to adapt their plans in the face of the Trump administration’s attempts to freeze funding to clean energy programs. (Canary Media)

• A Delaware program meant to streamline development accepts four planned community solar projects totaling 10 MW of capacity. (CoastTV)

ELECTIONS

• Eversource executives have donated some $4,500 to Democratic Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s reelection campaign, and the CEO says he expects ​“the volume to go right down” on her criticism of utilities once the election is over. (CommonWealth Beacon)

• A political action committee that targets clean energy opponents announces it will be campaigning against a Republican U.S. House member from Pennsylvania, a Congressional challenger from New York, and five other candidates. (Canary Media)

• Maine’s two major-party Senate candidates are closely aligned on their support for clean energy and climate issues in a race that could be important to the balance of power in Washington, D.C. (Living on Earth)

UTILITIES

• The New York Public Service Commission opens an inquiry into how utilities are using artificial intelligence, saying the technology could have ​“negative consequences for the safety and reliability of New York’s critical infrastructure.” (Utility Dive)

COAL

• As black lung disease surges in Pennsylvania and other coal-mining hubs, the Trump administration attempts to put a hold on regulations that would lower miners’ exposure to the silica dust that causes the ailment. (WESA)

STORAGE

• Maryland regulators deny financial credits to a planned 500-MW battery storage facility, saying it is unclear the project will provide sufficient benefit to residents. (WMAR)

• Grid operator PJM approves fast-tracked plans for an 860-MW storage facility in Pennsylvania, as well as additional projects in Pennsylvania and Ohio. (Utility Dive)

BULDINGS

• Twelve units of affordable housing designed to meet the super-efficient Passive House standard and topped with solar panels near completion in Boston. (Dorchester Reporter)

AFFORDABILITY

• The federal government releases more than $36 million in heat assistance for Maine ahead of schedule, as heating oil prices in the state linger near record highs. (Maine Morning Star)

TRANSMISSION

• Maine state lawmakers get their first glimpse at the proposed route for a 1.2-GW transmission line selected to better connect the far north of the state to the rest of the New England grid. (Bangor Daily News)

NEW FROM CANARY

• With scaled-back plans, green banks navigate Trump’s funding freeze — Jeff St. John

• A new gas line or cash to electrify? California lets households choose. — Alison F. Takemura

• Clean-energy super PAC names its target list for general elections — Kathryn Krawczyk