More questions after Massachusetts orders gas transition

FOSSIL FUELS: Massachusetts utilities, regulators and lawmakers chart their next steps after an order issued two months ago signaled the beginning of the end of natural gas in the state, albeit without specific policies. (Energy News Network)

ALSO: New Jersey lawmakers discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would block building or reactivating fossil fuel-fired power plants. (New Jersey Monitor)

GRID: PJM Interconnection and New Jersey utility officials agree to a strategy through which the state will formally solicit transmission upgrades to serve 3.5 GW of new offshore wind energy by 2040. (North American Wind Power)

POLICY:

• A Pennsylvania state senator files a bill to withdraw the state from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, claiming numerous reasons why the cap-and-trade program hurts residents. (S&P Global)
• Pennsylvania’s governor will deliver his budget proposal tonight, during which he will reportedly call for more funds for public transit agencies. (Associated Press)

GEOTHERMAL: Three Maryland lawmakers file a bill to create a networked geothermal pilot program in neighborhoods throughout the state and prioritize gas industry workers for new geothermal jobs. (Maryland Matters)

OFFSHORE WIND:

• The developers of the Beacon Wind offshore project want to test suction bucket jacket foundations at the site, an option that may be less ecologically harmful than pile driving foundations. (Offshore Wind Biz)
• Massachusetts officials announce plans to create a wind energy innovation and testing facility on the New Bedford waterfront. (New Bedford Light)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: A suburban Philadelphia township rejects the one bid it received to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure at a municipal building, with officials saying they need more bids to compare. (Daily Times)

BUILDINGS:

• Rhode Island opens up a $600,000 fund for small businesses to apply for energy efficiency projects. (PBN)
• A three-month-long workforce development program aims to train disadvantaged New York City residents to take higher-paying jobs managing modern, cleaner buildings. (Gothamist)
• Gloucester, Massachusetts, receives just over $144,000 in state funds to install heat pumps and undertake other clean energy projects at municipal buildings. (Gloucester Daily Times)

CLIMATE: Organizers of a Vermont ice fishing tournament cancel the event because of insufficient lake ice coverage, attributed to a warmer winter. (NBC5)

COMMENTARY: A New York editorial board details how a busted sewer system in West Seneca compounds the impact of climate change on residents — and why the town needs to seek financial aid from Albany and Washington. (Buffalo News)