R.I. reaches settlement over gasoline additive pollution

OIL & GAS: Several oil and gas refiners agree to a $15 million settlement with Rhode Island’s attorney general over claims they polluted soil and groundwater with a gasoline additive. (Associated Press)

ALSO:
• The owner of the Weymouth compressor station in Massachusetts says upgrades are underway to prevent future unplanned gas releases — a repeated issue at the facility. (Wicked Local)
• New Jersey environmental groups say the state can’t meet its climate goals if it approves two pending projects: a liquified natural gas terminal and a compressor station. (WHYY)
• Pennsylvania’s gas production sector lacks liquified natural gas terminals needed to expand international exports, meaning the state can’t meaningfully help with Europe’s energy crisis as some have suggested. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

COAL: As mercury levels found in fish rise, researchers in Delaware and New Jersey evaluate where and why the levels are strongest and consider that coal-fired plants have historically emitted significant amounts of mercury. (WHYY)

FINANCE: The New York comptroller’s office, which manages the state’s $280 billion pension fund, signals its support of numerous decarbonization shareholder resolutions filed with several large banks. (Reuters)

GRID: The leader of ISO New England discusses the regional grid’s stability and future. (Commonwealth Magazine)

CLEAN ENERGY: The executive director of Renewable Energy Long Island, a clean energy advocacy group, speaks about decarbonizing the area with offshore wind and solar. (Long Island Press)

CLIMATE:
• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently appointed New England regional administrator discusses the role of environmental justice in climate action and New England’s decarbonization efforts. (VT Digger)
• As the climate crisis drives warmer temperatures to Maine earlier, a longer allergy season is expected to aggravate residents. (News Center Maine)
• The American Marten is studied in Maine as an ​“umbrella species” used to understand over 10 other creatures, but its future is in jeopardy amid climate change. (Bangor Daily News)
• Delaware will offer climate leadership training to state employees, partnering with a professional organization that established similar programs in Maryland and Pennsylvania. (news release)

TRANSIT: Formerly redlined neighborhoods in New York City still face monumental amounts of air pollution from numerous sources, including transportation, peaking plants and other environmentally negative facilities. (Gothamist)

SOLAR: The Northeast’s largest furniture and mattress retailer will have over 1 MW of rooftop solar panels installed on top of its facilities by this summer. (news release)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES: New Hampshire utility regulators set time-of-use rates for electric vehicle charging in two utilities’ territories. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

UTILITIES: A PSE&G station and a NJ Transit bus hub were flooded when a water utility failed to alert officials in Bergen County, New Jersey, of a water release. (News 12 New Jersey)