Will New York have enough power for new industry?

GRID: Some observers question if New York will have enough power on its grid to support the expansion of a semiconductor manufacturer’s capacity, a development that just received significant federal funding. (Times Union)

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ALSO: An advanced energy trade group issues a report card giving low marks to PJM Interconnection and ISO New England for their overall interconnection processes, including regional transmission planning. (Utility Dive)

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OFFSHORE WIND:

• Federal ocean energy regulators publish a joint environmental analysis for the Park City and Commonwealth wind projects proposed by Avangrid off the Massachusetts coast. (E&E News, subscription; Offshore Engineer)
• In Massachusetts, the land purchase for the Salem Offshore Wind Terminal includes a $9 million direct community benefits package, roughly equal to 3% of the project price tag. (Salem News)
• An industry group wants federal ocean energy regulators to reassess the impact of offshore wind in the New York Bight on the sea scallop fishery, calling the current analysis inadequate. (news release)

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BUILDINGS:

• A suburban Philadelphia college is replacing its natural gas-fired steam system with a renewable energy-powered geoexchange system that will store heat in the ground over summer for use in the winter. (Inside Climate News)
• Rhode Island intends to have electric heat pumps comprise at least 65% of the residential heating and cooling products shipped to the state by 2030, joining a pledge agreed to by eight other northeastern and western states. (ecoRI)

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GAS: Although the investigation is still ongoing, federal investigators have released dozens of documents and photos related to a gas explosion at a West Reading, Pennsylvania chocolate factory last March. (Daily Times)

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PIPELINES: Some residents of Burrillville, Rhode Island, want state officials to extend a public comment period and hold a hearing as they work to get the operating air permit renewal rejected for Enbridge’s Algonquin pipeline. (ecoRI)

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ELECTRIC VEHICLES:

• Consolidated Edison begins offering managed charging at commercial electric vehicle chargers in New York to help shave grid peaks. (news release)
• A driverless electric shuttle pilot program kicks off in Philadelphia’s Navy Yard to help reduce traffic and emissions in the neighborhood. (WHYY)

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FLOODS: The financial toll of the floods that swept through some central Massachusetts towns last September is still hitting residents and municipal officials, with federal officials rejecting a request for disaster relief. (Boston Globe)

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SOLAR: A central Pennsylvania church installs a $75,000 solar array that completely offsets its energy needs, a project the pastor says is necessary to address “the biggest problem of our age.” (WFMZ)

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