Lithium-battery fire report concerns Long Islanders

GRID: Some Long Island, New York, residents say a new report about fires at three lithium-battery sites in 2023 gives them more concern than comfort, noting the lack of a groundwater study and delayed soil testing. (Newsday)

ALSO: Some families in Pennsylvania’s Ligonier Township say FirstEnergy’s local transmission line proposals, if pursued, would threaten the ecological value of their lands. (TribLive)

HYDROGEN: In New York, the Tonawanda Seneca Nation wants federal officials to reject a $1.6 billion loan for hydrogen producer Plug Power because of the firm’s shifting plans for the funds and allegations it’s evading federal environmental reviews. (Investigative Post)

UTILITIES: Connecticut’s attorney general sues United Illuminating and parent company Avangrid over its slow clean-up of the former English Station power plant site, seeking $25,000-a-day fines for each of the six charges. (New Haven Register)

SOLAR:

• The owner of a solar farm calls it ​“unacceptable” that some Plainville, Massachusetts, residents are experiencing flooding due to the facility and pledges to resolve the issue. (Sun Chronicle)
• A Pennsylvania judge rejects a conditional use request for a proposed 858-acre solar farm on land zoned for agriculture in Lebanon County. (Leb Town)

TRANSIT:

• Pennsylvania’s governor will reportedly call for more funding for the state’s transit agencies as dwindling federal stimulus dollars and changing ridership patterns lead officials to warn of service cuts. (Spotlight PA)
• Rhode Island’s transit agency approves a roughly $17 million contract to design a major new transit center, even though there isn’t a confirmed location for the program. (Rhode Island Current)

POLICY:

• The head of Rhode Island’s climate council tells legislators that the climate models used in the state’s December 2022 greenhouse gas reduction plan were ​“very preliminary” and it’s still too early to know how dramatic the state’s strategy should be. (Providence Journal)
• New Hampshire lawmakers encourage their fellow legislators to pass a bill that would make the state consider ​“proxy” carbon pricing in spending decisions for buildings and transportation projects. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Connecticut Republicans say they’d prefer to offer tax incentives for EV purchases and adopt federal standards than implement steep vehicle emissions standards originally put forward in California. (Hartford Courant)
• Although the city’s utility says public EV chargers have not been used much, Holyoke, Massachusetts, is seeking more grants to increase charger availability. (Mass Live)
• Baltimore unveils 25 new electric buses that will be used starting in the new school year, replacing diesel models. (WBAL)