Massachusetts passes long-delayed climate bill

CLIMATE: Massachusetts lawmakers pass an ambitious, long-awaited climate bill that includes measures to cut back on the use of natural gas and speed up the process of siting and permitting renewable energy. (The Boston Globe)

ALSO: As the state faces a worsening drought, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy vows the state’s commitment to fighting climate change is ​“unwavering” no matter what happens at a federal level. (WHYY)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Demand for Massachusetts’ electric vehicle incentive rebates more than tripled in 2023, even as the program is expected to run out of money by next June. (CNHI News)
• Rhode Island launches a new phase of its electric vehicle charging incentives, offering up to $10 million in competitive funding for publicly accessible charging installations. (Newport Buzz)

NUCLEAR: A group of New Hampshire lawmakers proposes legislation supporting the growth of nuclear power in the state, echoing the positions of governor-elect Kelly Ayotte. (Concord Monitor)

EMISSIONS:

• A proposed power plant in an already heavily industrialized, low-income New Jersey neighborhood awaits a final vote, as community opposition remains steadfast. (Inside Climate News)
• New York Republicans are looking for ways to kill the state’s congestion pricing plan if Trump is unable to do so by executive order. (Gothamist)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• A Connecticut stakeholder group launches a study aimed at identifying and expanding offshore wind supply chain opportunities in the state and throughout the Northeast. (news release)
• In Maine, a coalition of climate action youth organizations releases a podcast intended to combat misinformation about offshore wind. (The Times Record, subscription)

AFFORDABILITY: Connecticut officials push back against a utility’s request to increase natural gas rates by 43%, with the attorney general calling the proposal ​“out of whack” with other utilities. (CT Mirror)

TRANSMISSION: About 1,000 people gather for a second night of protests against a planned 70-mile transmission line in Maryland, but the developer says it will forge ahead with the plan, while Gov. Wes Moore says anger should not be directed at him. (WCBM; Baltimore Sun, subscription)

HYDRO: A small Vermont company says small, residential-scale hydropower turbines can help the state meet its renewable energy goals. (Brattleboro Reformer)

HYDROGEN: A Delaware chemical company decides to pause its investment in products used in hydrogen fuel cells, citing projections that show slowing growth in the hydrogen industry. (Delaware Business Times, subscription)