Offshore wind turbines don’t kill whales, experts say

OFFSHORE WIND: Experts note that offshore wind farm construction has not caused any whale deaths, even as President-elect Trump claims otherwise while reiterating his intention to oppose wind development. (WCVB, New York Times)

ELECTRIFICATION:

• Rebate programs for heat pumps and electric appliances in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania might be at risk of losing their federal funding in the incoming Trump administration. (WHYY)
• A city council in western Massachusetts will vote on whether to institute a ban on fossil fuel hookups in new construction and major renovations as part of a state pilot program. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

TRANSMISSION: The developers of a proposed 178-mile transmission line into New York City are fighting to keep the plan alive, even after a state agency canceled the contract for the project in November. (RTO Insider, subscription)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: New York’s state university system receives $15 million in federal funding to support installation of 700 electric vehicle chargers on campuses across the state. (Spectrum News)

FOSSIL FUELS: President Biden’s ban on offshore oil drilling will protect the New Jersey shore, to the relief of state leaders. (NJ Spotlight News)

GRID:

• Capacity market reforms and transmission procurement are likely to be top priorities for ISO-New England this year as the grid operator attempts to balance affordability, reliability, and decarbonization. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• Maryland lawmakers this session are likely to look for ways to encourage development of energy production in the state and stop power prices from soaring. (Washington Post)

INNOVATION: New Jersey awards $2.7 million in grants to clean tech startups, including a company developing a new battery technology and one launching a new electric vehicle charging platform. (NJBiz)

STORAGE: New York utilities launch an effort to procure 350 MW of energy storage projects as part of an effort to close polluting peaker plants. (Energy Storage News)

TRANSPORTATION: A candidate for governor in New Jersey argues for adopting congestion pricing in the state to realize environmental benefits and raise revenue to improve public transit. (Gothamist)