News from Around the Region and Washington, DC -

February 2021

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions decreased from 2018 to 2019 by 1.7% according to EPA’s draft annual greenhouse gas inventory
Battery power is becoming part of New England’s electric grid (Concord Monitor)
President Biden’s first 100 days – Vaccine developments, immigration overhaul, budget priorities (Government Executive)
A State-by-State Model of the US Net-Zero-Carbon Future (Greentech Media)
Wind Industry Closes Record 2020 With Strongest Quarter Ever (American Clean Power Association)
NOAA Bi-Weekly Congressional Drought Update
BOEM to Resume Environmental Review of Vineyard Wind’s Proposed Project

January 2021

HHS Announces Marketplace Special Enrollment Period for COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
EIA leaders will discuss Annual Energy Outlook 2021 and long-term impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. energy mix at a virtual public event hosted by the Bipartisan Policy Center
President Biden Takes Executive Actions to Tackle the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, Create Jobs, and Restore Scientific Integrity Across Federal Government
The Battle Lines Are Forming in Biden’s Climate Push (New York Times)
Biden plans to replace the US government’s fleet of 650,000 vehicles with electric models in a shift to clean energy (Business Insider)
Permitting for big U.S. offshore wind farm will resume ‘very, very soon’: Avangrid CEO (Reuters)
Biden Infrastructure Plan Pushes Better Roads, EV Chargers, Mass Transit (Forbes)
Offshore wind stagnated under Trump, Biden policies could create a boom for offshore energy (Cape Cod Times)
President Biden selects Commissioner Rich Glick to chair FERC
NOAA Releases 2020 Annual Global Climate Report

December 2020

U.S. Climate Alliance States Outpace Nation in Clean Energy Job Creation While Pushing to Achieve Goals of Paris Agreement (US Climate Alliance)
US Pushes Harder For Electric Vehicle Makeover (Clean Technica)
Mass., other states near historic agreement to curb transportation emissions (Boston Globe)
Offshore wind advocates want better coordination on electric grid upgrades (Energy News Network)
Electric Vehicles and the Power Grid: Roadmaps From California and New York (Greentech Media)
New England states projected to meet 2025 Paris goals on reducing greenhouse gas emissions report from EDF says (Reuters)
For Biden’s Economic Team, an Early Focus on Climate (NY Times)
Trudeau Hikes Carbon Tax in Bid to Reach 2030 Climate Goal (Bloomberg Green)
U.S. just had its 4th-hottest November and year to date on record (NOAA)
World carbon dioxide emissions drop 7% in pandemic-hit 2020 (AP News)
EIA releases December’s U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook (EIA)
Poll suggests strong support for Northeast cap-and-invest transportation initiative (Energy News Network)
NJ Transit Board authorizes Full Funding Grant Agreement with FTA for Portal North Bridge (Mass Transit)
A recent study on Decarbonizing New England finds that without new technological advances, significant gas capacity would be the most cost effective method to supply peak power as far out as 2050 (E3 & EFI)
CO₂ Allowances Sold for $7.41 in 50th RGGI Auction – $120.3 Million Raised for Reinvestment in Final Auction of 2020 (RGGI)
Top companies call for ambitious U.S. climate policy (C2ES)
Feds Push Vineyard Wind Decision Into 2021 (WBUR)
New Interim Strategy Will Address PFAS Through Certain EPA-Issued Wastewater Permits

November 2020

Amtrak names Stephen Gardner as president (Trains Magazine)
October 2020 was the globe’s fourth-warmest October on record (NOAA)
EIA releases November’s U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook (EIA)
Declining Snow Cover in U.S. Northeast Will Have Major Impacts on Rivers, Study Finds (YaleE360)
Maine could show the way on overcoming rural obstacles to electric vehicles (Energy News Network)
Rain and snow continues to improve drought conditions in the Northeast (NOAA & The National Drought Mitigation Center)

October 2020

UN-linked plan charts US course to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 (The Hill)
Election 2020: Trump’s FERC may need to shift course on clean energy, though Biden’s road will not be easy (Utility Dive)
Electric vehicles see state-level gains (The Hill)
House Natural Resources Committee Unveils Landmark Oceans Solutions Bill to Tackle Climate Crisis
Targeted Ecosystem Restoration Can Protect Climate, Biodiversity (Inside Climate News)
Earth just had its hottest September on record – With 3 months left, 2020 could rank among three-warmest years on record for globe (NOAA)
International Energy Outlook 2020 focuses on global electricity markets (U.S. Energy Information Administration)
Baker, Sununu do not sign GOP governors’ letter supporting Coney Barrett nomination to Supreme Court (Boston Globe)
New England’s Forests Are Sick. They Need More Tree Doctors (New York Times)
National Governors Association Chair Cuomo and Vice Chair Hutchinson Call on Congress to Prioritize State and Local Aid
Amtrak’s new Acela gets speed testing ahead of 2021 rollout: “It’s going to be a game changer” (CBS This Morning)

September 2020

EIA releases the September 2020 U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook
Tariff on Canadian aluminum off for now (Rutland Herald)
Rising Sea Levels Pose Increasing Credit Risks For Many U.S. Coastal States And Investors In Their Bonds (Forbes)
Pinpointing climate change’s role in extreme weather (Axios)
Drought Early Warning Update for the Northeast (NOAA/NIDIS)
Inside Clean Energy: Google Ups the Ante With a 24/7 Carbon-Free Pledge. What Does That Mean? (Inside Climate News)
Business Roundtable CEO’s Endorse Market-based Climate Policy (Business Roundtable)
Governors of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Call on President Trump to Reverse U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Aluminum

August 2020

Coalition forms around regional approach to offshore wind (WWLP)
Propelling the transition: The battle for control of virtual power plants is just beginning (Utility Dive)
Analysts Worried the Pandemic Would Stifle Climate Action from Banks. It Did the Opposite. (Inside Climate News)
Offshore Energy Industry Releases Economic Impact Study of New Federal Offshore Wind Lease Auctions (AWEA)
The U.S. Energy Information Administration releases the August 2020 U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook
Amtrak Announces Positive Train Control Completion
National Governors Association Leaders Call on Congress to Come Together on Coronavirus Relief (NGA)

July 2020

Governors Urge President to Extend Title 32 Today (National Governors Association)
Why peak electricity usage matters – Long road ahead to decarbonize electric power grid (CommonWealth Magazine)
2018 RGGI Investments Generate Environmental and Economic Benefits

In Shadow of Pandemic, U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Resurge to Record (New York Times)
Fading Winters, Hotter Summers Make the Northeast America’s Fastest Warming Region (Inside Climate News)
S. Northeast, Pummeled in the Spring, Now Stands Out in Virus Control (New York Times)
NE States Pursue Clean Energy, Despite COVID-19 (RTO Insider)
Northeast states join other states and the District of Columbia in a commitment to advance and accelerate the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (NESCAUM)
Federal Agencies release Drought Early Warning Update for the Northeast
EIA releases July’s U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook: Complete Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), and the Summer Fuels Outlook
A recent report reflects an average of 2.74% increase in clean energy jobs in the Northeast states in June (BW Research)
Biden Announces $2 Trillion Climate Plan (New York Times)
Massachusetts and 19 other states sue EPA over weakened justification for power plant regulation (The Hill)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an update to its Drinking Water Treatability Database with new treatment options and scientific references for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis Release ‘Solving The Climate Crisis’, A Congressional Roadmap For Ambitious Climate Action

June 2020

Canada, US and Mexico Extend Border Restrictions to July 21 (AP)
Fading Winters, Hotter Summers Make the Northeast America’s Fastest Warming Region (Inside Climate News)
CONEG founders pen Op-Ed on the stake of fiscal policy in the region: ‘Frostbelt’ states shouldn’t be left out in the cold (Newsday, by Tom Cochran & Lewis Kaden)
Grants aim to develop new markets for Northern Forest wood (Vermont Biz)
New England Offshore Wind Leaseholders Release Statement on BOEM’S SEIS (Vineyard Wind)
NY, CT & NJ Will Impose Quarantine on Visitors From States With Big Outbreaks (NY Times)
Slashing state budgets disproportionately impacts families of color — and could extend the recession (Business Insider)
The New England Power Generators Association (NEPGA) today released a report that outlines a pathway to meet New England states’ economy-wide decarbonization goals. (NEPGA)
A prescription for a post-COVID economy: a national climate bank (Grist)
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and Americans for a Clean Energy Grid (ACEG) recently launched the Macro Grid Initiative to build support for expanding and upgrading the nation’s transmission network (ACORE)
Boston Fed Chief says quick reopening undermines recovery – We are reopening. Can we do it right? (Boston Globe)
Bank of Canada governor says economic recovery from COVID-19 will be ‘prolonged and bumpy’ (CBC)
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management report points to strict conditions for Atlantic offshore wind projects (BOEM)
Can the US get to 90 percent clean energy by 2035 and add millions of jobs while reducing energy bills? A new report from the University of California, Berkeley, and GridLab says we can. (UC Berkeley’s Center for Environmental Public Policy)
P.A. Limits States’ Power to Oppose Pipelines and Other Energy Projects (New York Times)

May 2020

Multi-user US offshore grid could ‘save $1 billion’ (reNEWS)
Treasury grants wind and solar developers pandemic relief (Washington Examiner)
49 of 50 governors have better coronavirus poll numbers than Trump – CONEG Governors dominate top 10 (Washington Post)
Amtrak sends letter to Congress seeking additional $1.5 B to maintain minimal service levels for FY21 (Amtrak)
Northeast states push back timeline to release plans for a transportation emissions compact until fall (Gloucester Times)
State DOTs Would Get $15B In Phase 4 COVID-19 Bill (AASHTO Journal)
EPA decides against limits on drinking water pollutant linked to health risks, especially in children (Washington Post)
AMTRAK to Return Acela Service on the Northeast Corridor (Amtrak)
Quantitative Easing for Economic Recovery Must Consider Climate Change (World Resources Institute)
IEA warns coronavirus could impact supply chains for clean energy materials (Axios)
Nearly 1 Million Job Losses Reported in State and Local Government Sector (Route Fifty)
Virus problems in Quebec, New England entrench strict border measures in N.B.
FERC grants extension in New England Ratepayers Association’s net metering proceeding (Daily Energy Insider)
Coronavirus Has Boosted Unpopular Governors —And Hurt Some Popular Ones (Forbes)
New York and Massachusetts among national leaders in adopting new policies to encourage energy storage (PV Magazine)
Coronavirus crisis hits solar and wind energy industry (Washington Post)
New England Council Outlines Regional Infrastructure Priorities in letter to Congressional Delegation

April 2020

Tax Fixes We Need NOW to Save Clean Energy Jobs (Third Way)
Emissions Declines Will Set Records This Year. But It’s Not Good News. (NY Times)
A stunning energy shock and emissions decline – Annual change in global energy-related CO₂ emissions (Axios)
The permit process remains on track for the 800MW Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm (renews)
Representative Pappas Leads Bipartisan Group of 83 Lawmakers in Calling for PFAS Action in Upcoming Stimulus Legislation
Amtrak’s Downeaster Maine-to-Boston service suspended through end of May (Penobscot Bay Pilot)
New North American trade pact to take effect July 1: USTR (Reuters)
HHS Awards $1.3 Billion to Health Centers in Historic U.S. Response to COVID-19 – $162.6 million to CONEG states
Energy efficiency efforts are shutting down due to COVID-19, threatening jobs and savings (Utility Dive)
EIA releases April’s S. Short-Term Energy Outlook
Coalition Calls for Carbon Cap-and-Trade Program Across Northeast, Mid-Atlantic (NJ Spotlight)
FERC, NERC Provide Industry Guidance to Ensure Grid Reliability Amid Potential Coronavirus Impacts (NERC)

March 2020

States Have ‘Immense’ Powers to Fight Coronavirus (PewTrusts)
Inside Clean Energy: An Energy Snapshot in 5 Charts (Inside Climate News)
Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Statements from Hearing on Freight and Passenger Rail (House T&I)
Trump administration deals another blow to Gateway Tunnel (NJ.com)
Passenger rail to benefit from $55.8 million in CRISI grants (Mass Transit Magazine)

February 2020

ISO-NE’s annual report focuses on renewable energy future (Vermont Biz)
Senate pushes bipartisan energy innovation bill (Axios)
Senators Murkowski, Manchin Introduce American Energy Innovation Act
EPA Releases PFAS Action Plan: Program Update – Report highlights EPA’s aggressive and unprecedented efforts to address PFAS in the environment (EPA)
FERC ruling will limit wind and solar power’s participation in capacity markets – critcs cry bailout by another name (Politico)
Why electric buses are part of our transportation future (Hartford Courant)
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao Announces Availability of $1 Billion to Upgrade American Infrastructure (USDOT)
Raskin’s Oversight Subcommittee Launches Investigation into use of Eminent Domain by Energy Companies (Rep. Raskin)
A study says snow cover in New England is expected to decline by half, further stressing ski resorts that increasingly rely on energy intensive snowmaking equipment(Boston University News Service)
While the Trump administration withdrew from the Paris Accords, nearly half the states, including most in the Northeast, are acting to uphold the pact (Business Insider)
Feds launch probe of renewables plan (Energy Wire)
Two-Way Trade in Green Electrons: Deep Decarbonization of the Northeastern U.S. and the Role of Canadian Hydropower (MIT Center for Energy and Environmental Research)
The Climate Leadership Council issues a bipartisan climate road map that aims to slash CO₂ emissions 50 percent by 2035
January 2020 was Earth’s hottest January on record (NOAA)
FERC rejects waiver request re capacity and interconnection (Energy Policy Update)
Cross-State Air Pollution Causes Significant Premature Deaths in the U.S. – Midwestern states are the biggest exporters of air pollution, while Northeastern states are the leading importers (Inside Climate News)
ChargePoint commits $1B to expand EV charging as Ocasio-Cortez, others unveil bills for a national network (Utility Dive)
In latest setback, offshore wind launch pushed beyond 2022: But Baker administration officials remain optimistic (SouthCoast Today)
EIA releases February’s U.S. Short-Term Energy Outlook
Feds clear Gateway bridge for funding — but not tunnel (Politico)
Senators demand Gateway timeline from Trump administration (Politico)
Lawmakers, Trump administration spar over Vineyard Wind review (Commonwealth Magazine

January 2020

Trump signs USMCA deal, revamping North American trade rules (Washington Post)
Many of these US cities prepping workers for a clean energy future are in the Northeast (ACEEE)
House Democrats call for $760 billion in infrastructure spending over five years (Reuters)
Democrats’ draft climate bill charts path to carbon neutrality by 2050 (The Hill)
U.S. States Must Target Building Emissions to Meet Climate Goals (Reuters)
New York and Massachusetts Selected for Annual Clean Energy States Honor Roll Released by IREC
New commuter line between Mass. and Conn. exceeds 1 million passengers (Boston Globe)
Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Outlook Forecasts Continued American Energy Growth
Power plant emissions down 47% under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (Yale Climate Connections)
The Senate has approved the USMCA, bringing Trump’s trade deal one step closer to reality (Vox)
New England Will See More ‘Winter Heat Waves’ As Climate Warms, Scientists Say (NHPR)
RGGI States Initiate Auction Process for Auction 47
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Availability of More Than $900 Million for Infrastructure Investments Across America
Trump Moves to Limit Environmental Reviews, Erase Climate Change from NEPA Considerations (Inside Climate News)
House Energy & Commerce Committee leaders release framework of the CLEAN Future Act, a bold new plan to achieve a 100 percent clean economy by 2050
Amtrak at (nearly) 50: The railroad faces its next chapter (Progressive Railroading)
Alaska had its warmest year on record; Contiguous U.S. ranked second wettest during 2019
Trump Rule Would Exclude Climate Change in Infrastructure Planning (New York Times)
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions drop in 2019 as coal plants close (Rhodium Group)
Exclusive: Chamber of Commerce CEO to push a more bipartisan agenda (Axios)