Massachusetts tackles energy affordability

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OFFSHORE WIND

• Federal judges ruled three times last week against the Trump administration’s order stopping offshore wind construction, but wind supporters are waiting to see the president’s next move: ​“Trump is getting his butt kicked again. The question is whether he learns from that.” (Politico)

• The Pentagon continues to brush off Northeastern lawmakers’ requests for information about how, exactly, offshore wind could pose a national security risk, as claimed by the Trump administration. (Hartford Courant)

AFFORDABILITY

• The issue of affordability is set to dominate Massachusetts’ energy policy this year, as legislators and advocates debate the root causes of soaring utility bills and how to fix the problem. (Canary Media)

• In her first act as New Jersey governor, Democrat Mikie Sherrill signs orders requiring regulators to expand bill credits and freeze electricity rates. (New Jersey Monitor)

• Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee’s (D) energy affordability proposal would push off the state’s 100% renewable energy goal from 2033 to 2050. (EcoRI)

NATURAL GAS

• A proposed gas power plant approved using Maryland’s fast-track process raises worries in a small community that has already spent years fighting development from shipping operations. (Maryland Matters)

GRID

• National Grid’s new Massachusetts marketplace lets the utility use customer-owned solar, batteries, and other distributed energy resources to alleviate grid strain. (Canary Media)

• The New England Clean Energy Connect power line — built to carry lower-cost, renewable energy into Massachusetts — could end up costing Bay State residents more while lowering prices throughout the rest of New England, according to a regional grid-watcher. (NHPR)

• PJM Interconnection’s board says it’ll implement a ​“reliability backstop” capacity procurement to secure more power after its last auction reached record prices. (Utility Dive)

• Pennsylvania’s state consumer advocate and the Public Utilities Commission chair urge state lawmakers to ensure data centers pay for their own power needs to avoid hefting charges on customers. (WITF)

BUILDINGS

• A Brooklyn bagel shop uses suitcase-sized, plug-in batteries to lower its peak electricity demand and the associated fees. (Canary Media)

• Boston recommends approval of a wave of projects under the city’s net-zero carbon zoning initiative, including a hotel, affordable housing, and senior housing. (news release)

CLIMATE

• Virginia’s newly inaugurated Democratic governor Abigail Spanberger moves to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. (E&E News)

SOLAR

• The Connecticut Green Bank sues solar panel leasing company PosiGen over $22.2 million in unpaid loans. (Inside Investigator)

BIOMASS

• The Pennsylvania Farm Show’s 1,000-pound butter sculpture, which depicted the Declaration of Independence and the Liberty Bell, will be sent to a dairy farm where it will be fed into a methane digester and turned into renewable energy. (WFMZ)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Stegra lands key customer for green-steel plant amid financial woes — Maria Gallucci

• After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs — Elizabeth Ouzts

• California bills would cut red tape for balcony solar and heat pumps — Alison F. Takemura

• Critics pan Trump’s plan to force data centers to pay for power plants — Jeff St. John

• Trump’s energy agenda had a tough week in court — Kathryn Krawczyk