Delaware signs $128 million agreement with offshore wind developers

OFFSHORE WIND: Delaware officials and the developer of an offshore wind project sign agreements to ensure the developer will provide the state with renewable energy credits and other community benefits worth more than $128 million. (Renews)

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ALSO:

• Though the fishing industry has been a consistent opponent of offshore wind, developers in Massachusetts have paid $8 million to local fishermen to do safety and security work for the Vineyard Wind project. (New Bedford Light)
• While fishing vessels will be allowed to enter offshore wind farms in U.S. waters, many questions remain about how the turbines will affect the fish populations and fishing conditions. (New Bedford Light)
• A Greek company has started work on a Baltimore factory that will produce undersea cables to supply the offshore wind industry. (Baltimore Banner)

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EFFICIENCY:

• Cities including New York and Boston are among the nation’s leaders in implementing performance standards that set limits on the amount of energy used by large buildings. (Canary Media)
• A Massachusetts working group recommends all utilities offer a seasonal discounted rate for homes using heat pumps until advanced metering becomes more widespread. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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STORAGE: A planned 325-MW battery storage project in Connecticut faces obstacles from state regulators, as well as area residents worried about possible fires. (Energy News Network)

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TRANSPORTATION: New York’s newly implemented, first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan faces challenges from both the incoming Trump administration and local opponents. (E&E News, subscription)

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CLIMATE:

• As New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy enters his final year in office, his administration races to fulfill his ambitious clean energy agenda. (RTO Insider, subscription)
• Energy and climate will be among the most pressing issues facing Vermont state legislators when they return to work this week with climate mandate deadlines looming. (Vermont Public)

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SOLAR: A solar farm operated by a group of municipal utilities in Massachusetts receives $2.3 million from a clean energy tax provision in the Inflation Reduction Act, one of the first public power agencies in the country to benefit from the new rule. (MassLive, subscription)

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RELIABILITY: Electric utilities serving the Northeast ask federal regulators to enact gas pipeline reliability requirements to ensure power plants have enough fuel to keep the lights on. (Utility Dive)

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UTILITIES: A Connecticut electric utility says regulatory decisions are the reason the state has some of the highest power prices in the country. (CT Insider)

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COMMENTARY: A Massachusetts task force’s plan to use revenue from the state’s millionaire tax to stabilize the transportation system is too timid an approach for such a long-term challenge, says a transportation journalist. (CommonWealth Beacon)

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