Massachusetts leads on home electrification

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ELECTRIFICATION

• A Massachusetts pilot program providing heat pumps, solar panels, and batteries at no or low cost could offer a national model for electrifying lower income households. (Canary Media)

CLIMATE

• A year after Vermont passed the nation’s first ​“climate superfund” act requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for the impacts of climate change, the state turns to the challenge of putting a more precise price tag on the damages. (VTDigger)

SOLAR

• A Republican state representative in Pennsylvania tries to attach an amendment targeting solar net metering to a bill authorizing the use of federal Solar for All funds to build solar projects for 12,000 lower-income homes. (Allegheny Front)

• Plans are underway to build commercial solar developments at two Catholic cemeteries in Maine, though critics have raised objections about the cutting of trees and possibly disturbing visitors to the properties. (Portland Press Herald)

LEGISLATION

• A wide-ranging Maryland energy bill passed by the state House this weekend would establish uniform solar siting standards, provide electric bill rebates averaging $80 per household, and expedite the approval of new power generation, potentially including natural gas and nuclear plants. (Maryland Matters)

• Maine lawmakers consider imposing an impact fee on megayachts docking in the state as a way to address climate change impacts and raise revenue for coastal infrastructure, but the state Department of Environmental Protection says the bill would be administratively burdensome. (Portland Press Herald)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• New Haven, Connecticut, launches a government-subsidized ride-share service using only hybrid and fully electric vehicles and serving parts of the city where residents are less likely to own cars. (New Haven Independent)

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore issues an executive order that allows officials to delay enforcing penalties against auto manufacturers that don’t meet requirements to sell at least 43% EVs by 2027 and 51% by 2028. (Maryland Matters)

• Vermont projects it will be able to pave fewer roads next year as transportation revenue slows, in large part due to declining fuel tax revenue as cars get more efficient and people adopt EVs. (VTDigger)

EFFICIENCY

• Updated building codes going into effect in Maine this week are expected to reduce energy use and create cost savings for homeowners. (Bangor Daily News)

COMMENTARY

• Misinformation about the risks associated with a major battery storage installation planned in a Boston suburb could threaten the success of an important project, says the head of a regional climate action group. (Boston Herald)