CLIMATE: In what could be a warning sign for similar litigation, a federal appeals court yesterday rejected New York City’s climate lawsuit against major oil companies, saying it is an issue for the federal government, not the courts. (Bloomberg)
ALSO:
• The lead senate sponsor of major Maryland climate legislation says the General Assembly has “almost gutted the bill” through its amendments, including one limiting an emission reduction goal. (Maryland Matters)
• Pennsylvania will soon open “environmental hubs” to both teach residents about climate concerns and allow for community concerns to be voiced. (Fox 43)
• New York Republican legislators are joining calls for a cost-benefit analysis of the state Climate Action Council’s development plan. (WETM 18 News)
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UTILITIES:
• Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey finds that Bay Staters paid almost $500 million more for power over the past five years with electricity suppliers than they would have paid with their utility. (WCVB 5 ABC)
• A Maine judge rules that a disability discrimination lawsuit filed against Central Maine Power over opt-out smart meter fees can proceed. (WMTW News 8)
PIPELINES: Earlier this week, New Jersey argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that it’s unconstitutional for the developers of the PennEast pipeline to file to seize state-owned land for its project. (Law360, subscription)
OFFSHORE WIND: A new study finds that Rhode Island’s Block Island Wind Farm has had both practical and intrinsic benefits for anglers, who did also note overcrowding and catch restriction concerns. (Providence Journal)
TRANSPORTATION: When it comes to electric bus adoption, NJ Transit lags behind other transit agencies and needs to find funding to accelerate the process, according to a new report issued by a New Jersey policy group. (NJ.com)
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SOLAR:
• A Maine legislator wants the state to study new solar demand growth and make recommendations for preserving arable farmland. (News Center Maine)
• A New Jersey church expects to have a 682 kW community solar carport installed and operational by the fall to service nearby low-to-medium income residents. (news release)
PUBLIC LANDS: Amid aggravation over the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line permitting process, some Mainers tell a legislative committee that they want their representatives to have more say over how leased public land is used. (Portland Press Herald)