Maine heat pump incentives to top $250 million

HEAT PUMPS: Maine has spent $135 million on heat pump incentives so far, with another $125 million expected in coming years, though none of the money has come from state tax revenue. (Portland Press Herald)

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CLEAN ENERGY: The governor of Pennsylvania proposes redirecting $2.6 billion in unused tax credits to a new program to incentivize production of electricity that meets certain clean energy standards. (Spotlight PA)

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OFFSHORE WIND:

• A detailed new state study in Maine confirms Sears Island is the best place to develop an offshore wind port, despite ongoing objections that the project would disturb wildlife. (Maine Public)
• Energy regulators in Rhode Island reopen the permitting process for transmission cables from a proposed offshore wind farm as both Rhode Island and Massachusetts plan further offshore wind procurements. (The Providence Journal)

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WORKFORCE: A Philadelphia nonprofit trains people from low-income communities to work in clean energy trades. (Associated Press)

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DECARBONIZATION:

• A plan at the University of Maryland to develop new technology for heat waste recovery is among 21 projects to receive a total of $43 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance industrial decarbonization. (Utility Dive)
• Electric buses, renewable energy use, and composting are key components of Johns Hopkins University’s newly released plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. (Baltimore Sun, subscription)

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SOLAR: The first commercial solar development in Erie County, Pennsylvania, is coming online this fall, leading the way for three more projects in the works. (Erie Times-News)

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BUILDINGS: Building performance standards like those in place in New York City and Boston can help accelerate building decarbonization, according to a new road map from the Sustainable Markets Initiative. (Utility Dive)

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HYDROPOWER: An environmental group offers to buy four hydropower dams on the Kennebec River in Maine with the goal of removing or modifying the structures to improve the river for Atlantic salmon. (Bangor Daily News, subscription)

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EMISSIONS: Portland, Maine, explores ways to reduce the emissions of large cruise liners docked in port by strengthening transmission so ships can shut down engines and draw power from the grid. (Maine Public)

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COMMENTARY: Maryland officials’ trip to Sweden offers valuable lessons in infrastructure development and the need for more education in the fight against climate change, writes the mayor of Annapolis. (Capital Gazette, subscription)

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