Maine solar bill could drive away developers

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

SOLAR

• Some solar developers say they will stop doing business in Maine if lawmakers pass legislation imposing fees on existing community solar installations; bill supporters say the measures will save consumers money and be a more just way to support solar development. (Canary Media)

• Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signs a law aiming to speed the development of ground-mount solar arrays under 25 kilowatts by allowing them to use an expedited registration process. (PV Magazine)

DATA CENTERS

• Amazon Web Services signs a deal to buy 1.9 GW of power from the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania as part of its plan to spend $20 billion in the state expanding its AI infrastructure. (Utility Dive)

CAP-AND-INVEST

• New York environmental officials schedule a hearing to discuss the long-awaited implementation of the state’s cap-and-invest program, which was introduced two years ago but has not yet been rolled out, much to the frustration of climate advocates. (City Limits)

BUILDINGS

• A group of more than 1,000 buildings in Pittsburgh meets its goal of cutting carbon emissions in half six years before its target date by reducing consumption and increasing renewable energy use. (Allegheny Front)

NATURAL GAS

• Environmental advocates in Pennsylvania worry that the Trump administration might target a 2021 ban on fracking near the Delaware River. (Morning Call)

HYDRO

• Environmental advocates appeal state water quality certifications for five hydropower facilities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, arguing that the dam operators are not doing enough to protect the Connecticut River. (Vermont Journal)

GRID

• New York failed to properly anticipate the impact the 2021 closure of the Indian Point nuclear power plant would have, including a surge in fossil fuel use that shows little sign of diminishing, says Gov. Kathy Hochul. (Times Herald-Record)

• Demand response capacity in New York is expected to be 16% higher this summer compared to last year and could help meet as much as 25% of the peak load that is not served by renewable energy. (Utility Dive)

COMMENTARY

• Maine should invest more in public transportation and make its decisions about transportation policy with climate impacts in mind, says a state legislator who has proposed a bill to support those changes. (Bangor Daily News)

• Rhode Islanders shouldn’t blame renewable energy and energy efficiency programs for high electricity bills, but should instead support a pair of bills that would prevent utilities from using ratepayer money to pay lobbyists and empower greater scrutiny of proposed transmission projects, say two environmental advocates. (Boston Globe)

NEW FROM CANARY MEDIA

• A bill in the North Carolina Senate that aims to change how Duke Energy distributes electricity purchasing costs could end up costing ratepayers $87 million more every year, Elizabeth Ouzts reports.

• Georgia Republican Rep. Buddy Carter discusses Hyundai’s EV factory, nuclear development, and his vote on the ​“big, beautiful bill” with Julian Spector.