Maine farms, solar could be perfect pairing with more funds

SOLAR: Maine is home to many small farms with low-lying, hand-harvested crops, making it a good candidate for blending solar energy and food production — but farmers may not give agrivoltaics a try without funding for pilot projects. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• The developers and construction firm behind a 77 MW solar farm in Maine will pay a $20,100 civil fine for soil erosion violations at the work site. (Sun Journal)
• A central Pennsylvania college and a Vermont solar developer wrap up construction of a 1.76 MW solar array that will provide 7% of the university’s electricity. (news release)

CLIMATE:
• A climate change responsibility lawsuit brought by two Maryland counties against dozens of oil and gas industry organizations can be tried in state court, a U.S. district court judge rules. (Annapolis Capital Gazette)
• A large clam die-off this past summer in Brunswick, Maine, was likely caused by climate change, a local coastal resources official reports. (CBS 13)
• Researchers with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an international airline partner on a project to pinpoint the climatological impact of contrails. (Boston Herald)
• New York’s governor announces the creation of the ClimateTech Growth Platform, an $8.5 million fund to help commercialize new climate mitigation technologies. (SI Live)

BUILDINGS:
• Three years after New York City’s council passed a building emissions cap, city officials have released draft rules that will help property owners comply with the law. (The City)
• Wellesley College’s most energy-hungry building on campus gets a carbon-reduction makeover to help the college reach its 2040 carbon-neutrality goal. (news release)

HYDROELECTRIC: Thirteen Massachusetts utilities sign power purchase agreements with a power provider for over 100 GWh of hydroelectricity. (news release)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: Rivian looks to develop its Connecticut electric vehicle servicing and post-purchase car pick-up center in a town just outside of New Haven. (New Haven Register)

EFFICIENCY:
• Efficiency Maine begins offering a limited-time rebate for both homeowners and renters to buy home winterization equipment. (News Center Maine)
• A group of Vermont energy organizations and companies kicks off its annual weatherization campaign with tips on improving home efficiency. (news release)