Judge throws out NJ climate lawsuit against oil companies

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

CLIMATE

• A New Jersey judge dismisses a state lawsuit against oil companies, saying the claim that they deceived the public about the climate impacts of fossil fuels needs to be heard at the federal level. (NJ Spotlight News)

• A pair of nonprofits team up to offer tenants in New York City public housing developments up to $5,000 for resident-led climate projects. (City Limits)

AFFORDABILITY

• Facing soaring power prices, Democratic lawmakers in Maryland introduce a bill that would require the state to procure more energy projects and streamline the siting and approval processes, giving priority to solar and wind developments. (Capital News Service)

• Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro proposes a wide-ranging plan aimed at lowering energy prices by subsidizing and accelerating energy development, promoting the use of hydrogen, and creating a cap-and-trade system to reduce emissions from power generation. (WHYY)

UTILITIES

Maine regulators adopt rules prohibiting utilities from passing on to customers the costs of lobbying, political donations, or contributions to trade groups, a strategy that has already saved ratepayers in states like Colorado and Connecticut hundreds of thousands of dollars (Portland Press Herald, subscription; Grist)

TARIFFS

A Canadian consul warns New Yorkers that their state, which imports more than $2 billion in fossil fuels and electricity from Canada, could be the first to feel the economic impact of President Trump’s anticipated tariffs. (Gothamist)

GRID

A settlement between Pennsylvania and grid operator PJM could stabilize electricity price growth, but does not solve the backlog of renewable energy projects waiting to connect to the grid, experts say. (PublicSource)

COAL

In a rare event, New Hampshire’s last coal-fired power plant was called on to send electricity into the grid during a cold snap in January. (EIA)

CONSUMER PROTECTION

In Maryland, residents seeking lower-cost or greener energy power have fewer choices this year, following the implementation of a new law meant to protect consumers from competitive energy suppliers using deceptive tactics. (Baltimore Sun, subscription)

COMMENTARY

As the federal government pulls back on clean energy, Pennsylvania should be ​“doubling down” on its commitment to and investment in these projects to fight climate change and promote economic development in the state, says an environmental advocate. (PennLive)