Maryland’s governor considers cap-and-invest

FINANCE: Maryland’s governor considers a cap-and-invest system to cover the cost of decarbonization projects as climate activists question if his campaign rhetoric around climate change aligns with his in-office plans and policies. (E&E News)

CLEAN ENERGY:

• Two New York legislators introduce a new bill to require the state to develop a clean energy site mapping tool to identify preferred, suitable development sites. (Daily Freeman)
• New Jersey aims to notch some clean energy wins in 2024 after a year of significant setbacks to its offshore wind industry. (RTO Insider, subscription)

FLOODS: Maine lawmakers mull over proposed legislation to require residential and commercial realtors to disclose properties’ flood risk to potential buyers. (Maine Public Radio)

SOLAR:

• New Jersey’s governor signs a law streamlining the community solar energy program application process, consolidating bills and adding potential capacity. (news release)
• Some Hoosick, New York, residents fight the development of a 50,000-panel solar farm on land zoned for agriculture and residential use. (CBS 6 Albany)
• A Massachusetts historical preservation board will soon decide the ​“appropriateness” of a woman’s request to put solar panels on the roof of her 200-year-old home. (Gloucester Daily Times)
• New Hampshire opens applications for developers to pitch community solar projects to directly benefit low-to-moderate-income residents. (NHPR)

TRANSIT:

• A new lawsuit adds to the agita facing New York’s transit agency over its Manhattan traffic congestion tolling plan, this time filed by the the United Federation of Teachers and Staten Island borough president. (Gothamist)
• Connecticut’s governor praises a transit-oriented development in Meriden and says he wants to see more towns do the same thing, but doesn’t discuss a zoning mandate. (CT Mirror)
• In Massachusetts, an urban planner and a transportation consultant form a new firm dedicated to increasing safe walkability; their first project will be to help develop a safe streets program for Worcester. (Boston Globe)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• Delaware environment officials recommend the state formally kick off offshore wind power procurement in a report for state lawmakers and the governor. (DPM)
• US Wind asks federal regulators to permit for unintended ​“take” — meaning harassment, hunting, capture or killing — of marine mammals during its offshore wind development activities. (WRDE)

GRID:

• Federal energy regulators allow New England’s grid operator to delay a forward capacity auction scheduled for February 2025 by a year to update its accreditation methodology to reflect changing generation resources. (Utility Dive)
• A small explosion and fire at a Woburn, Massachusetts, lithium-ion battery manufacturer was caused by a battery, sending one worker to the hospital. (WCVB)

AGRICULTURE: Heavy rains and unseasonable frosts and warmth frustrate farmers in Vermont’s Upper Valley whose apple orchards, maple trees and vegetable patches are struggling to thrive. (Valley News)

FOSSIL FUELS: A national climate advocacy group updates its public database on fossil fuel lobbyists at America’s statehouses, including in Maryland. (Maryland Matters)