Trump administration fails to back up Empire Wind order

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OFFSHORE WIND

• The Trump administration’s claim that approvals for the halted Empire Wind project were rushed is ​“preposterous,” insiders say, as the process of approving a wind farm in that area began in 2011. (Fast Company)

• Further, the administration has so far refused to release evidence backing up its claims that the Empire Wind approvals were based on ​“flawed science.” (E&E News)

RENEWABLES

• A small, Biden-era tax code tweak allowing nonprofits to sell tax credits generated by clean energy projects has enabled ​“countless” clean energy projects to get off the ground, including a community-owned solar cooperative in Boston. (Grist)

• In New York, 26 county leaders sign a letter asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to ​“slow down” the push for renewable energy development in more rural parts of the state, specifically citing concerns about a planned 24-turbine wind farm. (CNYCentral)

NUCLEAR

• A closed New Jersey nuclear power plant is on round-the-clock watch as wildfires creep closer to the facility, which still houses spent fuel. (NJ.com)

TRANSPORTATION

• New York City officials announce plans to reduce diesel emissions and traffic congestion by supporting the use of cargo bikes and opening a barge docking facility in the Bronx to allow bulk shipments via water. (Gothamist)

• A Pennsylvania beverage distributor unveils the first of seven battery electric delivery trucks it’s buying with help from $2.6 million in state grants with plans to get them on the road this spring. (PennLive)

TRANSMISSION

• As energy company PSEG asks courts in Maryland to grant it access to private property to survey along the route of a planned and controversial 70-mile transmission line, a local sheriff declares his deputies will not help enforce any such orders. (Baltimore Sun)

• A New York utility announces plans to build a $125 million transmission line through Queens to accommodate increasing demand coming from economic growth and electric vehicle charging. (Daily Energy Insider)

AFFORDABILITY

• New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs a law requiring utilities to give customers notice of their energy consumption in the middle of each billing cycle, preventing sticker shock and giving them the chance to adjust their usage. (New Jersey Monitor)

STORAGE

• A Boston hospital expects to earn $80,000 annually by sharing power from its 572-kw battery storage system with the grid at times of peak demand. (PV Magazine)

• Two city councils in western Massachusetts pass resolutions opposing a planned battery storage system, citing fears it could contaminate groundwater or cause long-burning fires. (Daily Hampshire Gazette)

GRID

• Federal regulators approve a settlement between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and grid operator PJM to lower the price cap on the organization’s next two capacity auctions, a move the governor’s office says could save consumers $21 billion over the next two years. (Utility Dive, WFMZ)