New York announces major slate of renewable energy projects

Correction: A Maine board advanced regulations to phase out gas-powered car sales in the state. An item in this digest originally misstated the board’s decision.

CLEAN ENERGY: New York announces 6.4 GW worth of new renewable energy projects, including three offshore wind farms and almost two dozen solar and hydroelectric facilities, capable of providing up to 12% of the state’s power demand. (E&E News, Gothamist, news release)

HYDROGEN: Although Pennsylvania officials are cheering on two new hydrogen hubs set to be developed in the state, environmentalists caution that few details have emerged to prove these will be ​“green” projects. (Spotlight PA)

BUILDINGS:

• Hundreds of New York City residents attend a council meeting to encourage the city not to be lenient as it enforces a local climate law targeting building emissions. (New York Times, Gothamist)
• New Hampshire regulators consider a three-year energy efficiency plan that utilities say would save ratepayers over $675 million. (NHPR)

WIND: The administration of Massachustts’ governor comes out in support of an offshore wind supply chain facility at Brayton Point as local leaders scramble to balance residents’ concerns with development needs. (CommonWealth Magazine)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• A Maine board advances regulations to phase out gas-powered car sales in the state — but doesn’t move forward with a similar electric truck policy over cost concerns. (Bangor Daily News)
• A panel discussion highlights the challenges of transportation electrification in New York City and concludes that public-private partnerships will be necessary to reach its goals. (Clean Technica)

SOLAR:

• Outdated town zoning laws make it difficult for proponents and opponents of a proposed 19 MW solar array to make their case in Cranston, Rhode Island. (Cranston Herald)
• A New York community college seeks out $4.5 million from the state university system to develop an up-to-6 MW solar farm. (Niagara Gazette)

BATTERIES:

• New York City firefighters tackle a sizable lithium-ion battery fire at a storage facility, finding a slew of batteries and bikes; a facility employee says there’s no way to stop such items from being stored there. (Brooklyn Eagle)
• In New York, Long Island residents say they’re worried about potential harm from a six-acre battery storage facility under development in Holtsville. (Newsday)

GAS: Massachusetts’ gas utilities contend with an unsteady future as they must both prepare for decarbonization policies that aim to end their operations while maintaining the infrastructure they still have. (Boston Globe)

NUCLEAR: Westinghouse decides to lease a large western Pennsylvania building to make nuclear battery components, expanding its regional operations. (Trib Live)

CLIMATE: A special Rhode Island legislative commission looks to understand the factors limiting the success of the state’s famous Quahog harvest, including climate change. (Associated Press)