Opponents sue federal government over Maryland wind plan

OFFSHORE WIND: A Maryland tourist town and an eclectic coalition of supporters sue the federal government in connection with a proposed wind farm, arguing a key environmental assessment violates federal laws. (The Baltimore Banner)

ALSO:

• The Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts supports a Supreme Court petition asking for more federal review of the impacts offshore wind could have on endangered right whales within the tribe’s ancestral lands. (E&E News, subscription)
• A planned wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts receives three key state approvals, keeping it on track to start construction in late 2025. (Renewables Now)

CLIMATE:

• Massachusetts’ climate bill, now pending in the House, includes reforms that would significantly speed up the process of siting new renewable energy projects, supporters say. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• The Vermont Municipal Bond Bank receives $40 million in federal funds to provide cities and towns with low-interest loans for energy projects that address climate change and cut costs. (VermontBiz)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Trucking executives and municipal highway officials ask New York’s governor to delay mandates for sales of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks, saying the state doesn’t have enough charging infrastructure and the vehicles are too expensive. (Times Union)
• New Jersey regulators clear the way for utilities to spend up to $55 million to build charging infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, a step supporters say is key to lowering emissions in the transportation sector. (RTO Insider, subscription)

FOSSIL FUELS: Only one of the two units at New England’s last coal-fired power plant passes a required emissions test, raising questions about the facility’s ability to provide power at times of high demand this winter. (New Hampshire Public Radio)

TRANSPORTATION: The Port of Baltimore receives $147 million in federal funding to deploy zero-emission cargo handling equipment, and two Connecticut ports are awarded more than $39 million for similar upgrades. (Maryland Matters, New Haven Register)

GRID: Five governors urge grid operator PJM to modify its capacity market rules and interconnection queue process, saying the current approach could raise costs without encouraging more development. (Utility Dive)

CLEAN ENERGY: Rhode Island leads the nation in growth of wind power over the past ten years and ranks second in electric vehicle adoption, according to a new report. (ecoRI)

SOLAR: Maryland launches a grant program to help municipalities switch to automated solar permitting software that supporters say will speed up approval times and accelerate solar adoption. (Solar Power World)

COMMENTARY: Maryland should embrace the environmental and economic potential of nuclear power, despite public wariness, says a local advocate. (Baltimore Sun, subscription)