“I feel for the wind guys, man”

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.

OFFSHORE WIND

• “I feel for the wind guys, man.” Oil executives are proving to be unexpected critics of the Trump administration’s attacks on offshore wind, saying constant changes in energy policy aren’t good for them either: (New York Times)

• As Empire Wind tries to catch up on construction after the 23-day federal stop-work order, New York regulators ease a restriction on laying underwater cable during October and November intended to protect endangered sturgeon. (RTO Insider)

CLEAN ENERGY

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces a new solicitation for large-scale renewable energy developments and directs state agencies to advance shovel-ready clean energy projects as quickly as possible in an attempt to ensure they can qualify for expiring federal tax credits. (media release)

EFFICIENCY

• Massachusetts advocates ask lawmakers not to cut spending on the state’s nation-leading energy efficiency programs as they develop legislation aimed at reining in high electricity bills. (RTO Insider)

• Union leaders testify in support of a Massachusetts bill that would require energy and air quality audits for public schools, colleges, and universities. (WWLP)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Opponents of a proposed natural gas pipeline into New York are ramping up their activism, promising a fierce fight against Gov. Kathy Hochul’s re-election should the project get approved. (New York Focus)

SOLAR

• A Vermont town flips the switch turning on a new community solar array that could be one of the state’s last, as the state is no longer accepting group net-metering projects. (VT Digger)

• A Philadelphia church will use savings and renewable energy credits generated by its new solar array to make small grants to four nearby households, to help them pay their energy bills, sidestepping state regulations that don’t allow community solar projects. (WHYY)

• A new community solar array in Maryland will provide power to 11 subscribers, as well as grazing ground for sheep. (media release)

UTILITIES

• Angry Maine consumers flood regulators with comments opposing Central Maine Power’s proposed rate hike, which would increase the average monthly bill by $35. (Maine Public)

• The sudden resignation of Connecticut’s top utility regulator raises questions about whether the now two-member commission has the authority to issue final decisions on pending cases. (CT Mirror)

TRANSMISSION

• Maryand county officials file a brief supporting landowners challenging a court ruling that allows energy company PSEG to survey private land as it develops a highly controversial transmission line, calling the decisions a ​“significant infringement” on residents’ rights. (Baltimore Sun)

STORAGE

• A small western Massachusetts town considers a proposal to build a 170-megawatt battery facility that would generate $500,000 in revenue for the town each year. (Berkshire Eagle)

COMMENTARY

• Maryland regulators’ decision to make new natural gas customers pay for their own hookups is a win for consumers and the environment, but the state should do even more to discourage further gas infrastructure expansion, a local advocate says. (Maryland Matters)