This Vermont gas utility is getting into the heat pump business

BUILDINGS: Vermont’s climate mandates are pushing Vermont Gas Systems to adapt and diversify its business, ramping up energy efficiency, renewable natural gas, and now heat pump offerings.

ALSO: A Maine nonprofit kicks off a new pilot program to offer free ​“energy coaches” to homeowners who need independent advice about efficiency and weatherization upgrades. (Maine Monitor)

CLIMATE:
• Joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative could help Pennsylvania cut its emission by 80% of 2020 levels by 2030, according to a new University of Pennsylvania study. (Inside Climate News)
• Boston’s climate tech scene accounts for a significant amount of the city’s overall tech sector, with more capital flowing to companies despite overall economic activity slowing. (Boston Globe)
• A new federal report shows climate change is set to worsen childhood asthma and diminish the general health of Connecticut kids. (Connecticut Public Radio)
• With noise and climate concerns at top of mind, at least three Fairfield County, Connecticut, municipalities are working on gas-powered leaf blower restrictions. (New Haven Register)

GRID: Groups that sued to block Central Maine Power’s hotly contested transmission line will not appeal a jury’s decision to let construction resume. (WABI)

SOLAR: South Burlington, Vermont, considers mandating most new construction projects have at least 70% of their rooftop able to support solar infrastructure. (WCAX)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES:
• Delaware lawmakers advance a bill out of committee that would make state agencies transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2040. (DPM)
• Some Connecticut towns and colleges consider ending free electric vehicle charging now that older stations need upgrades and EV registrations are rising. (Connecticut Public Radio)

OFFSHORE WIND:
• A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll finds a series of East Coast whale deaths is causing support for offshore wind among New Jersey residents to shrink, even though there’s no evidence pointing to a connection between the events. (WorkBoat)
• Vineyard Wind will test an underwater noise and vibration insulation technique to reduce the impact to marine life. (electrek)

CRYPTOMINING: New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s staff fends off criticism that she has done more to support energy-intensive cryptomining than to regulate it. (Auburn Citizen)

EQUITY: New York officials release preliminary findings of a Nassau County air quality study that will be used to make an air pollution map to highlight overburdened communities. (Newsday)

COMMENTARY: A Sierra Club attorney says a recent PJM Interconnection report stands in ​“dire need of correction” because it ignores ​“glaring performance problems of fossil fuel power plants in extreme weather.” (Utility Dive)