The myth of solar-tainted potatoes

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.

AFFORDABILITY

• National Grid proposes a two-year freeze on natural gas rates for roughly two million customers in New York City and Long Island. (Gothamist)

• With a possible electricity rate increase pending in Connecticut and utility executives making millions, high energy costs are poised to be a major factor in the state’s gubernatorial elections. (Hartford Courant)

SOLAR

• A Pennsylvania state lawmaker is among those spreading the groundless misinformation that it is dangerous to grow potatoes on land that is or has been occupied by solar panels. (Canary Media)

• Both chambers of the New York state legislature have approved a bill legalizing balcony solar panels that can be plugged into a standard residential outlet. (E&E News)

NATURAL GAS

• Democratic governors in New England and New York seemed poised to support natural gas pipeline expansions in their states, a marked shift in a region that has been a leader in pursuing renewable energy. (E&E News)

OFFSHORE WIND

• The blue-collar city of New Bedford, Massachusetts, once poised to take economic advantage of the expected offshore wind boom, faces an uncertain future as the industry comes to a virtual standstill. (Politico)

DATA CENTERS

• A Pennsylvania state senator introduces legislation that would prevent data centers from being defined as public utilities, which would limit the ability of municipalities to regulate the projects. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says she is not interested in supporting a data center moratorium under consideration in the state legislature. (E&E News)

ELECTRIFICATION

• New York school district transportation officials are relieved that the state mandate to electrify school bus fleets has been delayed, but still have concerns about the long-term costs. (News 10)

TRANSMISSION

• A highly controversial transmission line in Maryland may be delayed until late 2028, even as grid operator PJM says the need for new infrastructure is urgent. (Baltimore Sun)

COAL

• Maryland and Virginia are in the process of enacting stricter rules on coal ash dump sites in reaction to the loosening of federal regulations, but environmental advocates are still concerned the new guidelines won’t go far enough. (Bay Journal)