Nuclear plant asks regulators to reconsider rejected expansion

NUCLEAR: Talen Energy asks federal regulators to reconsider their rejection of a plan to scale up capacity at a Pennsylvania nuclear plant to power a data center, saying its decision could have a chilling effect on economic development. (WFMZ)

BATTERIES:

• In Massachusetts, an association of municipal electric utilities partners with an energy storage developer to deploy grid-scale batteries in communities too small to afford such systems on their own. (Renewable Energy World)
• Rhode Island has just one utility-scale battery storage facility so far, but developers and policymakers are starting to come around to the possible advantages of installing more. (ecoRI)

UTILITIES: Regulators order a Maine utility to pay $80,000 to a small environmental group that attempted to block a utility merger, the first use of a state law letting regulators order utilities to compensate some intervenors to make sure ​“everyone has a seat at the table.” (Portland Press Herald, subscription)

TRANSMISSION: Opposition to plans for a transmission line through three Maryland continues to mount, as commissioners in one county pass a lengthy resolution objecting to the project and the state Senate minority leader says he plans to take up the question with the governor. (Baltimore Sun, subscription; WBAL)

SOLAR: A Maine town votes overwhelmingly to limit the size of solar developments to 15 acres, thwarting an energy developer’s plan to build a 600-acre array. (Lewiston Sun Journal, subscription)

GRID: A coalition of more than 30 business and energy groups urge New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to undertake a deep analysis of the state’s future energy needs and resources, considering all power sources, from fossil fuels to renewables and nuclear. (Times Union, subscription)

FOSSIL FUELS: New Jersey regulators approve a gas price hike that could increase customers’ bills by nearly 16%, a jump that environmental advocates say underscores the need to invest in renewable alternatives. (New Jersey Monitor)

CLIMATE: As New York forges ahead with ambitious renewable energy and climate plans, costs could rise for ratepayers, experts say at a clean energy summit. (City & State)

OFFSHORE WIND: Massachusetts researchers are studying the impact of pile driving — part of the offshore wind turbine installation process — on smaller marine creatures. (CBS Boston)

COMMENTARY: Maine’s updated climate plan is both ​“ambitious and achievable,” setting up the state to be a model in the face of likely efforts to roll back federal climate action, an environmental advocate says. (Bangor Daily News, subscription)