Nantucket threatens Vineyard Wind with fines

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Northeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

OFFSHORE WIND

• Nantucket officials accuse Vineyard Wind of ​“hiding” from the town’s questions and threaten the developer with fines of up to $250,000 for its failure to respond. (Associated Press)

GRID

• There are no easy fixes for the ​“broken” process that is slowing the connection of new power generation to the grid and driving soaring prices in the 13-state PJM Interconnection region, experts say. (Canary Media)

• Hearings on a proposed transmission project on Long Island become contentious as opponents raise questions about health risks, the impact of construction, and the possibility of the lines being used to carry power from offshore wind developments. (Long Island Press)

RENEWABLES

• The New York Power Authority releases plans to develop 3.8 gigawatts of renewable energy and energy storage projects, more than doubling the target set in its previous strategic plan. (Solar Power World)

• The Baltimore County government will not meet its goal of getting 100% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2026, but should be about two-thirds of the way there by early 2027. (WYPR)

• A new report considers what it will take for Maine to meet electricity demand that is expected to double by 2050, while sticking to its goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. (Maine Morning Star)

FOSSIL FUELS

• The U.S. Department of Energy issues an order allowing an oil-burning power plant in Maryland to operate beyond its permitted limits in an effort to address what Energy Secretary Chris Wright says is ​“the threat of power outages.” (E&E News)

• Maryland regulators require a coal export terminal in Baltimore to build a giant screen to lessen the amount of black dust blowing into nearby residential neighborhoods. (Baltimore Banner)

STORAGE

• New York launches a request for proposals as it seeks to build 1 gigawatt of bulk energy storage, the first of three expected solicitations. (news release)

EMISSIONS

• A New York City initiative works with food cart owners to explore the use of batteries and other alternatives to noisy, exhaust-spewing diesel generators for running their lights, refrigerators, and deep fryers. (The City)

NUCLEAR

• A new Connecticut law creates a funding program to help cities and towns explore the possibility of building new nuclear developments, though a local vote would still be required before any projects could begin. (Connecticut Public)

COMMENTARY

• Pennsylvania lawmakers should vote to authorize community solar, which could help meet the state’s energy needs, cut down on emissions, build a more resilient grid, and create jobs, says a group of energy advocates. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

NEW FROM CANARY 

• US aluminum producers need cheap, clean power. That may be tough to get. — Maria Gallucci

• A retired nuclear plant in Michigan is about to restart, a first for US — Eric Wessoff

• A pioneering​‘second-life’ battery startup begins major Texas expansion — Julian Spector