Offshore wind freeze threatens Massachusetts climate goal

WIND: Advocates say President Trump’s anticipated executive order to halt new federal leases for offshore wind will significantly disrupt Massachusetts’ efforts to cut emissions, but hope increased deployment of solar can help make up the difference. (Boston Globe)

ALSO:

• On Friday, the Biden administration announced the final federal approval of the nearly 1.3 GW SouthCoast Wind project, anticipated to provide most of its electricity to Massachusetts. (MassLive)
• Trump’s order, which exempts oil and gas projects, affects new or renewed wind leases on the outer continental shelf and orders a review of wildlife impacts, but does not affect existing leases. (The Hill)
• An Italian company on Friday halted development of a $300 million cable manufacturing plant in Somerset, Massachusetts, intended to serve the offshore wind industry. (CommonWealth Beacon)
• Orsted’s stock prices fell yesterday on news of a $1.7 billion writedown, but the company says it is still committed to the U.S. in the long term. (Fortune)

CLIMATE: Maine officials say the state’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040 is still achievable despite heavy reliance on fossil fuels; the state’s updated climate plan, released Friday, also anticipates significant growth in offshore wind development after 2035. (Press Herald, Maine Morning Star)

UTILITIES: Records show Eversource and Avangrid are among the top spenders on lobbying at the Connecticut legislature, which a consumer advocate calls ​“a hindrance to energy policy in this state, from both a climate and consumer perspective.” (News Times)

GRID: A Pennsylvania Republican proposes a low-interest loan pool for new power plants, saying new capacity is needed to keep rates low. (Post-Gazette)

HYDROGEN: The Biden administration on Friday awarded $18.8 million to the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub to begin planning and design for production facilities. (WHYY)

OIL & GAS: President Trump’s pledge to accelerate oil and gas development is ​“a very sensitive subject” in a conservative Pennsylvania community that is experiencing health and environmental impacts from fracking. (France 24)

GEOTHERMAL: A first-of-its-kind networked geothermal project in Framingham, Massachusetts has connected 37 homes and businesses so far. (CNN)

NUCLEAR: Connecticut Democrats last week expressed support for overriding the state’s moratorium on new nuclear plants to allow development of small modular reactors. (WSHU)

COMMENTARY: A New Hampshire advocate praises a bill updating the state’s commercial PACE law, calling it a ​“unique blend of pragmatic politics and entrepreneurial spirit.” (NH Business Review)