Massachusetts utility to cut winter rates for heat pump users

ELECTRIFICATION: Advocates say a Massachusetts utility’s plan to offer more favorable winter rates to customers with heat pumps could become a model for the rest of the state. (Energy News Network)

BIOGAS: Environmental groups and neighbors call for a more rigorous process to evaluate a proposed Vermont biogas plant, saying the facility’s new technology raises unanswered questions. (VT Digger)

SOLAR: The mayor of a Connecticut town classified as a ​“distressed municipality” home to three large solar projects opposes a fourth one, saying it won’t benefit the community financially. (Register Citizen)

UTILITIES:

• Avangrid shareholders last week approved Iberdrola’s plan to buy out the remaining 18% stake of the company for $2.55 billion. (Power Technology)
• New Jersey lawmakers will hold a hearing this week on high electricity bills after an unusually hot summer, as the state’s consumer advocate pushes for PJM capacity market reforms. (New Jersey Monitor)

OFFSHORE WIND: A New Jersey agency receives a $50 million federal grant to support civic engagement and job training for offshore wind transmission infrastructure. (ROI NJ)

TRANSPORTATION: Calling Manhattan traffic ​“terrible,” a judge allows two lawsuits challenging New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s rejection of New York City’s congestion pricing plan to proceed. (Gothamist)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A state grant helps a Massachusetts high school acquire an electric car for its auto shop program. (The Enterprise)

TECHNOLOGY: A new business incubator in Portland, Maine is home to 12 startups working on different aspects of climate change. (Press Herald)

POLITICS: Democrats, and some Republicans, are hoping to oust a six-term Pennsylvania congressman who is one of the most prominent deniers of climate science in the U.S. House. (E&E News)

COMMENTARY:

• An editorial board says the proposed restart of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant will benefit consumers along with tech companies. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• A New Jersey advocate says the state needs to pass a 100% clean energy standard to ensure rising electricity demand from data centers doesn’t worsen climate change. (NJ Spotlight)
• A journalist describes the challenges he faced installing a heat pump in his home in New York’s Hudson Valley. (Canary Media)