In Boston, wealthier neighborhoods have more EV chargers

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Much of Boston’s public electric vehicle charging infrastructure is sited in wealthier areas, causing an inequitable gap in where city residents can charge, according to a new Boston University project. (WBUR)

SOLAR:
• A Vermont legislator sponsors a bill to strengthen the state’s renewable energy standard to 100% by 2030. (Seven Days)
• Most members of Johnston, Rhode Island’s council decline to discuss a proposal to ban large solar developers in residential areas. (Providence Journal)
• Construction wraps up of a solar canopy installation at a Massachusetts middle school that saw cost renegotiations and numerous delays. (Provincetown Independent)

UTILITIES:
• In her proposed 2024 budget, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to allow the New York Power Authority to build and operate renewable energy projects and spend billions to fix New York City’s transit system. (New York Times, NBC New York)
• Maine’s competitive electricity supplier market fails at lowering prices and reaching climate goals and should be phased out, according to an independently prepared report filed with the state legislature. (Portland Press Herald)
• Criticism abounds for a plan to allow Baltimore Gas & Electric to stop paying franchise fees and instead use the money for underground conduits, a plan supported by the mayor. (Baltimore Brew)
• A New York representative calls for the resignation of power utility Central Hudson’s chief executive amid ongoing problems with inaccurate billing. (Times Union)

CLIMATE:
• Wealthier New Jersey locales have significantly more trees than their poorer neighbors, but new state grant funding looks to plant more trees in low-income areas. (WHYY)
• Plans to cut New York City’s parks department budget leaves environmentalists worried that the mayor’s promise to plant 20,000 trees per year won’t be met. (City Limits)

TRANSIT:
• Boston plans to pay 65% of any employee’s selected transit pass and offer free bikeshare memberships, a significant boost to their benefits package. (Boston Herald)
• The ​“MicroMoo” microtransit pilot in southeast Vermont helps residents get around for free with flexible pick-up options. (Valley News)

GRID: A Connecticut conservation nonprofit fears transmission upgrade plans along a tidal creek and wetlands could lead to erosion and harm wildlife. (News Times)

BIOMASS: Maine firefighters suspect smoldering wood ash ignited wood chips on a conveyor belt that caught on fire at a biomass facility early yesterday morning, causing minor damage. (News Center Maine)

BUILDINGS:
• Rhode Island small business owners say they’d benefit from the governor’s proposal to spend $5 million on below-market fixed-interest loans for them to make energy efficiency upgrades. (PBN)
• A New York City condo board’s quest to save money leads them to undertake energy efficiency projects. (Habitat)