New York revives congestion pricing plans

EMISSIONS: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul intends to revive plans for congestion pricing in parts of New York City, dropping the toll to $9 from $15, before the new Trump administration can squash the plan. (New York Times)

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ALSO:

• A laser-based drying technology could help cut emissions from Maine’s paper and pulp manufacturing industry. (Energy News Network)
• Maryland, Maine, and New Hampshire are among the states with the largest percentage decrease in greenhouse gas emissions over the last 18 years, according to a new report. (The Baltimore Sun, subscription)

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TRANSMISSION: The developers behind a 145-mile transmission line intended to import Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts sue NextEra Energy, alleging the electric utility purposely misled voters and physically blocked progress to protect its turf and stop the project. (MassLive, subscription)

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SOLAR:

• Maine-based ReVision Solar lays off 8% of its workforce because of slowdowns in the market caused by high interest rates, the political climate, and regulatory obstacles. (Bangor Daily News, subscription)
• In Maryland, solar developers ask the state to approve planned installations on agricultural land despite county-level prohibitions, pitting renewable energy against concerns about community character. (The Baltimore Sun, subscription)

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NUCLEAR: Small modular nuclear reactors could be the key to providing onsite energy for power-hungry big tech companies and convincing them to set up shop in New York, says Gov. Hochul.  (Times Union)

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EFFICIENCY: Burlington, Vermont’s plan to weatherize more than 700 rental properties is seriously behind schedule because of a shortage of workers trained to do the upgrades. (Seven Days)

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CLIMATE: As New York falls behind on its climate goals, the state needs to ramp up its procurement of renewable energy, advocates say. (Canary Media)

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OFFSHORE WIND: Seven Cape Cod towns vote against supporting offshore wind development on a ballot question that is nonbinding but raises questions about the region’s appetite for wind. (Cape Cod Times)

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STORAGE: New Jersey utilities regulators modify their proposed incentive plan for grid-scale battery storage projects, as the state aims to reach 2,000 MW of capacity by 2030. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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GRID:

• Increased adoption of demand response programs could help New York’s buildings cut emissions and improve grid resilience by reducing dependence on peaker plants, advocates say. (Utility Dive)
• Stakeholders from New Hampshire, Maine, and ISO New England join a roundtable with federal regulators to strategize ways to strengthen coordination between the electric and natural gas markets. (RTO Insider, subscription)

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COMMENTARY: Grid operator PJM should look to battery storage and other creative solutions to meet high demand rather than leaning on existing coal plants that hurt nearby communities, an Appalachian equity advocate says. (Utility Dive)

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