Massachusetts biomass plant permit no longer usable, court says

BIOMASS: A Massachusetts court determines a developer’s 2011 building permit has expired for a long-planned 35 MW wood-fired power plant in East Springfield, setting up another hurdle for the project. (MassLive)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• Another coastal New Jersey town joins a lawsuit aiming to stop the Atlantic Shores offshore wind project over claims state regulators were biased during the environmental impact analysis. (Down Beach)
• Two attorneys at an energy law practice say New York’s new offshore wind solicitation has numerous unique provisions that are friendly to developers. (Utility Dive)
• Vineyard Offshore taps Alicia Barton, previously a state regulator and power company head, to become its new CEO amid upheaval in the offshore wind industry. (E&E News)

GRID:

• A Maine power utility says in a regulatory filing that its customers won’t receive fair benefits for the costs incurred to develop the Aroostook Renewable Gateway transmission line project and associated Longroad wind farm. (Portland Press Herald)
• A federal appeals court rules that PJM Interconnection’s ​“focused” minimum offer price rule became law when federal energy regulators couldn’t come to a consensus on the matter. (Utility Dive)

BUILDINGS:

• PSE&G says the upfront cost of its $3.1 billion energy efficiency plan may be eye-popping but that it will save money for building owners and help meet New Jersey’s climate goals. (ROI-NJ)
• South Jersey Gas wants to expand its energy efficiency program aimed at low-to-middle-income ratepayers at a cost of $425 million for just under three years. (Press of Atlantic City)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Vermont battery-powered plane company Beta plans a $41 million expansion of a testing hub at New York’s Plattsburgh International Airport. (WCAX)
• A Maryland transportation panel will soon consider new fees for electric and hybrid vehicle owners to help plug funding gaps. (Maryland Matters)
• A solar-powered boat built in New York is the first of its kind to receive Coast Guard approval. (Canary Media)

TRANSIT: A new, $79 million plan would completely electrify the public transit system of Massachusetts’ Cape Cod within 12 years. (CAI)

SOLAR: Con Edison says its customers are on track this year to install more solar than last year. (news release)

FLOODS: A majority Black community in a low-lying Philadelphia rowhome neighborhood considers managed retreat because of frequent, severe flooding. (CBS Philadelphia)