Trump sues states over ​“ideological” climate policies

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FEDERAL ACTION

• The Trump administration sues New York, Vermont, and two other states, claiming their climate policies create ​“illegitimate impediments” to affordable, reliable energy; Vermont’s attorney general says the state’s law making fossil fuel companies pay for climate damages presents no such threat. (Associated Press, VTDigger)

CLIMATE

• The Connecticut House approves a bill setting a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and establishing new incentives for solar canopies, electric heat pumps, and green job creation. (CT Mirror)

• Massachusetts legislators consider whether to adjust the state’s climate goals to adapt to the ​“new reality” of reduced federal support and slowed offshore wind development. (State House News Service)

OFFSHORE WIND

• An oil and gas industry professional nominated for assistant secretary in the U.S. Interior Department champions the need for fossil fuel lease sales, but agrees that the federal order to stop work on the Empire Wind project set a dangerous precedent. (E&E News, Renews)

• U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer encourages Empire Wind’s parent company, Equinor, to sue the Trump administration, saying the government has ​“no basis to suspend it.” (E&E News)

NATURAL GAS

• Massachusetts regulators order gas utilities to spend less on a pipeline repair initiative that has cost consumers $6.2 billion in the last ten years, and instead spend more time assessing whether leak-prone pipes should be shut down and replaced with electric heat pumps. (WBUR)

• A Pennsylvania energy company partners with the state for an extensive air-quality monitoring program at natural gas drilling sites to collect data to inform future public policy decisions about the industry. (PennWatch)

SOLAR

• Following a wave of complaints about deceptive sales practices by a solar panel company, Rhode Island rolls out new regulations requiring solar panel retailers to register with the state, limiting the hours for door-to-door sales, and mandating financial disclosures. (Rhode Island Current)

• A Maine community solar cooperative seeks zoning changes to allow it to develop a project on a former tannery site. (Lewiston Sun Journal)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• In Delaware, a Republican state senator introduces legislation to block a rule requiring automakers to sell increasing proportions of new electric vehicles, following Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer’s announcement that he plans to eliminate the regulation. (CoastTV)

TRANSMISSION

• Residents near the proposed route of a controversial transmission line in Maryland are angry to discover that ratepayers could be on the hook for the project even if it never comes to fruition. (Fox45)

GRID

• A bill pending in the Maine House would ensure different bodies working on plans for the future of the grid use the same data to better coordinate their efforts. (Maine Morning Star)