Paying nonprofits to think about solar

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Northeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning.

SOLAR

• A Massachusetts program is helping nonprofits go solar before federal tax credits expire by providing free technical assistance and offering a stipend to compensate organizations for the time and effort they put into the process. (Canary Media)

• Maine Gov. Janet Mills signs a law allowing residents to use small DIY balcony solar systems that plug into standard residential outlets. (Portland Press-Herald)

• New Hampshire lawmakers consider a bill authorizing and regulating the use of plug-in solar systems. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

OFFSHORE WIND

• The Trump administration’s argument that offshore wind turbines could hurt endangered whales is undermined by federal officials’ decision to waive protections for the imperiled animals in order to expand oil and gas drilling. (Canary Media)

• The U.S. Interior Department quietly fails to appeal a court decision that allowed work to restart on offshore wind projects halted by the administration, an omission that could be an early sign of hope for the industry, experts say. (Grist)

FOSSIL FUELS

• Federal energy regulators will investigate the potential environmental impacts of the revived Constitution pipeline proposal, which would carry natural gas from Pennsylvania into New York. (E&E News)

DATA CENTERS

• City councilors in Bangor, Maine, are fast-tracking a plan to impose a six-month moratorium on data center development in the face of sudden ​“development pressure from data centers.” (Bangor Daily News)

AFFORDABILITY

• The Maryland state Senate passes its version of a sweeping energy affordability package, setting up a clash with the House, which proposed more aggressive measures in its own bill. (Maryland Matters)

• Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey contends that ​“energy abundance” is a needed solution to rising utility costs in the state. (WGBH)

EFFICIENCY

• The mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, proposes a $3 million fund to pay for energy efficiency and clean energy projects. (WPRI)

GRID

• Pennsylvania investigates possibilities for energy generation and battery storage projects that could be eligible for fast-track approval under a new expedited system created by grid operator PJM. (Utility Dive)

TRANSMISSION

• Two New England transmission owners ask federal regulators to stay an order to refund more than $1 billion to customers following a ruling cutting the companies’ allowed rate of return on equity. (Utility Dive)

• New York grid operator NYISO finds that $1.1 billion in transmission upgrades would be needed to connect a batch of 48 solar, storage, and onshore and offshore wind projects to the grid. (RTO Insider)