Uncertainty follows wind farm order

This roundup of energy news headlines comes from our Northeast Energy News newsletter. Sign up to get it in your inbox each morning.

OFFSHORE WIND

• In the wake of the Trump administration’s latest moves against offshore wind, Massachusetts communities that were preparing for an economic boost from the industry worry about whether expected jobs and economic benefits will ever materialize. (CAI)

• Worries are particularly acute in one coastal Massachusetts town, the former site of a coal-burning power plant, where plans to produce offshore wind cables are now in question. (Wall Street Journal)

FEDERAL ACTION

• A Kraft Heinz plant in upstate New York seems likely to lose a $22 million federal grant intended to help it reduce emissions 99% by replacing natural gas systems with heat pumps, electric heater and boilers, solar panels, and energy storage. (NNY360)

• A Republican state lawmaker in Maine sends a letter asking the U.S. Justice Department to review the state’s net metering rules, offshore wind plans, and participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative as part of the Trump administration’s plan to target state-level climate laws. (WGME)

SOLAR

• The New York Power Authority announces plans for a 1.5-MW community solar installation atop an Albany landfill, the first project to be built under a new state program to provide low- and moderate-income households with bill credits generated by state-owned solar arrays. (WAMC)

LEGISLATION

• In Connecticut, members of both parties question the wisdom of a complex bill that would, among many other things, have the state borrow money to reduce consumers’ power bills. (CT Mirror)

• A Delaware state lawmaker introduces legislation intended to rein in consumer power bills by lowering the amount of renewable energy utilities are required to buy to 10% for the next 10 years, down from its current level of 25%. (WMDT)

• A group of Maryland lawmakers ask Gov. Wes Moore to veto a bill that would allow the state, rather than local or county authorities, to approve solar developments under certain conditions, a plan the legislators worry would do irreparable damage to agricultural lands. (WBOC)

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

• The future of Maine’s plans to expand its electric vehicle charging network is up in the air amid federal funding uncertainty. (Maine Monitor)

• New York state announces $30 million for a program that provides rebates to consumers who lease or buy new electric vehicles, and increases incentives for the installation of chargers at multifamily buildings, hotels, and other workplaces. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle)

• The enforcement division of New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission plans to acquire 16 new electric vehicles, which will make 45% of the commission’s fleet electric. (New York Daily News)

TRANSPORTATION

• Maine’s transportation funding is on a course to depend less on gas tax revenue and lean more on federal funding sources in coming years. (Maine Public)

COMMENTARY

• Maryland should end a program allowing utilities to operate EV fast chargers and redirect funds to supporting commercial charging programs, after a recent survey found fewer than 35% of the state’s utility-run chargers were operational while nearly all of Tesla’s charging stations were up and running, says an EV infrastructure advocate. (Maryland Matters)

NEW FROM CANARY MEDIA

• Startup Haven Energy is providing no-cost solar and battery systems to low-income Californians, in hopes of leveraging its installations as a grid resource, Julian Spector reports.

• The Chicago Teachers Union negotiated its first contract with climate provisions, and includes provisions to create training programs for clean energy jobs and install renewables, Kari Lydersen reports.

• The Trump administration’s halt to the Empire Wind project is its biggest attack on offshore wind yet, and presents a warning to other federally permitted projects, Kathryn Krawczyk writes.