Clean energy eyed for New Hampshire coal plant site’s future

CLEAN ENERGY: The location of a New Hampshire coal plant primes it well for a future of supporting offshore wind and energy storage projects, according to the facility’s owner. (Granite Geek)

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EQUITY: Massachusetts’ residents with limited English proficiency face linguistic barriers to participating in or benefiting from the state’s energy assistance, assessment and weatherization programs. (WBUR/El Planeta)

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CLIMATE: Even if Vermont’s governor, who hasn’t promised his signature, vetoes legislation making fossil fuel companies pay for climate damages, the legislature appears to have enough support to override him. (Heatmap)

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WIND:

• A University of Maine research team is exploring recycling options for decommissioned wind turbines, including in 3D printing and construction, with help from a Department of Energy grant. (News Center Maine)
• New Jersey environment officials will host several public hearings, both in-person and virtual, this month to hear opinions about the Atlantic Shores South Offshore wind project. (Patch)
• The University of Maine continues to be a major global player in floating offshore wind turbine research, as developers remain hesitant because of the technology’s high cost. (Associated Press)

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GRID:

• A PJM Interconnection stakeholders group wants the grid operator to engage in more “proactive,” “holistic” regional planning that incorporates more flexibility to maintain reliability through generation resource retirements. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• A new Columbia University report finds that the length of PJM’s interconnection queue is leading to longer project construction time frames. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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SOLAR:

• A developer begins construction of a 19 MW solar project at a former composting facility, now a brownfield site in need of environmental remediation, in Warren County, New Jersey. (news release)
• A spin-off startup out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology raises $5.6 million in a pre-seed funding round for its lightweight, flexible solar panel development. (PV Magazine)
• Westerly, Rhode Island’s planning board gives final approval for a small ground-mounted solar project, with conditions including drafting a decommissioning plan and avoiding rare plant species. (Westerly Sun)
• In Groton, Connecticut, two public schools that installed rooftop solar panels are expected to save a collective $40,000 on annual energy bills. (WTNH)
• A community solar coalition highlights a finding in a recent Maine utility commission analysis that the state sees $30 million in net benefits derived from its net energy billing program. (news release)

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TRANSIT: The transit agency of Pennsylvania’s Cambria County purchases four new compressed natural gas buses to replace four diesel models. (Tribune-Democrat)

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