Timeline traces the evolution of Empire Wind orders

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OFFSHORE WIND

• A detailed timeline traces the ups and downs of the Empire Wind project, from the moment President Trump signed his executive order banning new offshore wind to the announcement that he conceded to let construction resume off New York. (Canary Media)

• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has struck no deal to welcome a natural gas pipeline in exchange for the restarting of work on Empire Wind — despite a social media post by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that seemed to suggest an agreement — but remains open to the possibility, aides say. (E&E News)

• A group of 10 environmental advocacy organizations files a brief in support of a lawsuit by 17 states and Washington, D.C. challenging Trump’s executive order banning new wind projects, with one attorney calling the prohibition ​“unexplained, inconsistent, and incoherent.” (Renewable Energy Magazine)

• Development of a controversial offshore wind hub on Sears Island in Maine could create $6.6 billion in economic activity in the state and create thousands of jobs, a new report finds. (Maine Beacon)

SOLAR

• Pennsylvania awards $22.6 million in grants to support the construction of rooftop solar panels on 73 schools with the goal of lowering energy costs for the facilities and providing hands-on career education opportunities. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

TRANSIT

• If SEPTA, the transit authority serving greater Philadelphia, is forced to make the drastic service cuts it has warned could be coming, greenhouse gas emissions in the region could rise 4% as commuters turn back to their cars, according to a new analysis. (WHYY)

LEGISLATION

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signs two energy bills into law, including one that encourages more in-state power generation and development of battery storage capacity, and another that standardizes siting requirements for commercial solar farms. (Maryland Matters)

• Moore also vetoes a bill calling for an assessment of how much climate change damages have cost the state and another requiring a study of the possible financial and environmental impacts of data centers. (Baltimore Banner)

• The details of a comprehensive energy affordability bill in Connecticut are starting to come together behind the scenes, and will likely include measures to borrow money to cover some expenses now included on utility bills and an expansion of time-of-use rates. (CT Mirror)

STORAGE

• As one of the nation’s largest battery storage facilities is under development on Staten Island, locals say they were not given enough notice or opportunity to share their concerns about the project. (CBS News)

GRID

• Consumer and environmental advocates at PJM’s annual meeting tell the grid operator they are worried it is too influenced by large transmission and generation owners and that efforts to quickly connect new power resources will leave renewables behind. (RTO Insider)

NEW FROM CANARY

• Just seven steel plants that rely on coal-fired blast furnaces remain in the U.S., and they’re all in cities with some of the worst air quality in the country, Alexander C. Kaufman reports.

• Rural southwest Virginia, once the heart of coal country, is now training workers for the growing solar installation industry via apprenticeship programs with local colleges and employers, Matt Busse and Lisa Rowan report in our series with the Rural News Network.