Massachusetts heat pump installer network builds momentum

BUILDINGS: A Massachusetts program has exceeded its heat pump worker training projections in its first year, but will need to keep growing to help meet the state’s 2050 net-zero goal. (Energy News Network)

ALSO:
• Vermont state senators give preliminary approval to a clean building heat standard — likely the biggest piece of climate legislation this session — with a final chamber vote scheduled for today. (Vermont Public Radio)
• Some Rhode Island home builders say green features like rooftop solar panels are more popular than ever. (Providence Business News)
• A Boston office building takes steps to become one of the largest-ever ​“passive design” buildings. (WBUR)

CLIMATE:
• Deer ticks are becoming more active in the Northeast throughout the year as winter temperatures rise, and entomology labs are seeing significantly more samples for testing. (WBUR)
• A Maine conservation group plans to purchase an old oceanside golf course and restore it to coastal habitat, aiming to improve climate resiliency and protect threatened species. (Bangor Daily News)
• Seasonal allergy sufferers in Delaware may see symptoms start earlier and linger longer because of the mild conditions brought by climate change. (News Journal)

POLICY:
• Climate advocates begin making their case in a lawsuit alleging New Jersey failed to instate regulations to help the state meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. (NJ Spotlight)
• U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island came down hard on climate skeptics at a recent budget committee hearing focused on the cost of sea level rise. (E&E News, subscription)
• A new regional response program aiming to strengthen New England’s climate resiliency now includes every state in the region as New Hampshire opts to participate. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A New York school district worries about the cost of meeting the state’s electric school bus adoption mandate — and whether the vehicles will be able to meet daily mileage needs. (Auburn Citizen)

OIL & GAS: Pennsylvania is the only gas-drilling state that doesn’t apply a severance tax to the industry, but legislators are reviving the debate to impose one. (WHTH)

GRID:
• Pennsylvania legislators hear experts explain why PJM Interconnection saw reliability problems during a December 2022 storm and implore them to update energy policies. (State Impact Pennsylvania)
• Partially approving ISO New England’s aggregated distributed energy resources plan, federal energy regulators say the grid operator ​“needs to roll up its sleeves” to open markets to behind-the-meter DERs. (Utility Dive)

TRANSIT:
• Some Maryland lawmakers want to require equity considerations be incorporated in any future transit projects or programs. (Maryland Matters)
• Negative budget predictions in Washington, D.C., may jeopardize the city’s plan to make bus rides fare-free. (DCist)

SOLAR: A Vermont college breaks ground on an on-campus solar farm that has frustrated abutting landowners. (Middlebury Campus)

WORKFORCE: A New York City college that received $566,000 last year from the state to help train future offshore wind workers is using the money to create a renewable energy systems lab and equip three other labs. (SI Live)

COMMENTARY: A New York City professor sees public buses as the near-term solution to various public transit woes in his city and around the country. (The Conversation)