Massachusetts debuts $10 billion energy plan

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AFFORDABILITY

• Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey introduces a $10 billion plan aimed at reducing energy bills by capping monthly bill increases, exploring new generation and storage options, and allowing customers to pay for heat pumps and weatherization over time with a charge on their utility bill. (Boston.com)

• Maine’s new three-year efficiency plan, which focuses heavily on deploying whole-home heat pump systems, is expected to lower electricity prices statewide, saving all residents a total of $490 million in the long term. (Canary Media)

SOLAR

• Vermont announces plans to use $22 million in federal Solar for All funding to install solar panels on low-income housing, even as legislation in Washington, D.C., threatens to repeal the grant program. (VTDigger)

• New York City seeks proposals for the development of three solar arrays totalling 2.5 MW in the Bronx as part of the city’s plan to build more clean energy capacity and improve grid resiliency. (news release)

FOSSIL FUELS

• NRG Energy acquires natural gas power plants across six states including Pennsylvania, doubling its generation capacity as demand rises due to the proliferation of energy-hungry data centers. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

• A Pennsylvania Senate committee advances legislation that would punish cities and towns that ​“unreasonably” restrict oil and gas drilling by withholding funds intended to help communities offset the impact of drilling activities. (Farm and Dairy)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• Vermont Gov. Phil Scott pauses enforcement of rules that require an escalating proportion of the new cars automakers sell in the state to be electric, saying the target of 35% for 2026 is unrealistic. (Seven Days)

CLIMATE

• Pennsylvania justices hear arguments about whether the cost of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which requires power plants to pay for their carbon emissions, is a tax or a fee — and the answer will help determine whether the state is allowed to remain part of the initiative. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

• The leaders of Boston and 16 surrounding cities and towns sign a pledge renewing their commitment to regional action deploying more clean energy, electrifying transportation, decarbonizing buildings, and building climate resilience. (CommonWealth Beacon)

GRID

• Though Vermont utilities are under ​“constant” attack from hackers, the system’s cybersecurity defenses are up to the task, say the companies’ security experts, though they still face challenges from the occasional hunter who enjoys shooting at power lines. (VTDigger)