Massachusetts’ plea for more natural gas

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NATURAL GAS

• Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey asks the Trump administration to speed up its review of a plan to expand a natural gas pipeline into the state. (CommonWealth Beacon)

LITIGATION

• New York leads a coalition of 21 states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of regulations limiting power plant emissions: ​“Dismantling these protections is a betrayal of American families,” says New York attorney general Letitia James. (Associated Press)

SOLAR

• A Massachusetts liquefied natural gas terminal was allowed to close in 2024 in large part because the growth of behind-the-meter solar in New England has done so much to stabilize the grid. (PV Magazine)
• The Connecticut Siting Council approves two solar projects that were widely opposed in their communities, raising concerns about the body’s power to override local preferences. (Hartford Courant)

EMISSIONS

• Unpermitted diesel generators at a New Jersey data center were likely one of the state’s top five sources of nitrogen oxide pollution before regulators stepped in in August. (Floodlight)
• Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Republican state lawmakers in New Hampshire celebrate the collaboration that led to the end of vehicle emissions inspections in the state. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

NUCLEAR

• Constellation and Amazon announce a 20-year power purchase agreement that will allow the energy company to invest $3 billion in improvements to the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant in Maryland. (Maryland Matters)
• Energy officials and industry representatives from across New England gathered in Massachusetts this week to discuss nuclear policy and technology as the region looks for ways to reach its clean energy goals. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

AFFORDABILITY

• National Grid’s proposal to freeze its New York electric rates until 2028 is a ​“scam” that would set the company up to charge customers even more down the road, critics say. (New York Focus)
• Many heating oil customers in southern New England are buying less fuel per delivery as prices continue to soar. (WJAR)

DATA CENTERS

• In Pennsylvania, utility regulators consider rules that would curtail power to data centers when supply is tight, and legislators advance bills to protect consumers from rising energy costs associated with the facilities. (ABC 27, Pennsylvania Capital-Star)