NH solar projects delayed trying to connect to power grid

SOLAR: A New Hampshire legislative proposal would streamline the interconnection process for solar projects, which right now varies depending on the utility for projects larger than 100 kW. (Energy News Network)

UTILITIES:

• In Pennsylvania, environmental advocates challenge the fossil fuel-heavy energy purchase plan filed by utility PECO, telling state regulators the filing is ​“inadequate” in the face of a climate emergency. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Ten Maryland energy suppliers write to the state’s governor asking him to oppose legislation that adds requirements for energy suppliers that want to compete with utilities, claiming the measures would hurt climate progress. (Maryland Matters)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• New Jersey’s governor and some lawmakers want to slowly establish a $250-290 annual fee on electric vehicles. (NJ Advance Media)
• The latest budget proposal from New Jersey’s governor would add a sales tax on electric vehicles, which haven’t been applied since 2004. (ROI NJ)
• The public school district of Worcester, Massachusetts, celebrates the planned use of 15 electric school buses starting in the 2025-26 school year. (Worcester Telegram & Gazette)

POLICY: Maryland’s legislature quickly approaches its deadline to advance legislation to the next chamber, but several energy bills — including one to restrict what homeowner associations can do about a home’s solar or electric vehicle installation plans — have already done so. (RTO Insider, subscription)

STORMS:

• Central Maine Power wants state regulators to authorize $162 million for multiple storms’ worth of recovery costs in 2023; a company spokesperson says it’s the utility’s biggest request in at least a decade, pointing to climate change for worsening storms. (Maine Public Radio)
• Massachusetts saw several times its usual amount of rainfall between July and mid-September last year, with flash floods likely to increase in the area and create small, undersupported disasters. (Boston Globe)

TRANSIT:

• A commuter bus company says it shouldn’t be subject to new tolls as part of the Manhattan traffic congestion pricing plan, calling buses part of the air pollution solution. (Morning Call)
• New Jersey’s governor calls Manhattan traffic congestion pricing an ​“ill-conceived plan” that is more about solving New York City’s transit agency funding crisis than mitigating pollution, climate change or traffic. (Newsday)

OFFSHORE WIND: Northeast fishers have about three months to apply for compensation if their business was impacted by Vineyard Wind construction, with much of the money earmarked for Massachusetts workers. (CAI)

EDUCATION: A high school-aged youth coalition pushes New Hampshire legislators to incorporate climate and environmental education in school curricula. (In-Depth NH)