WIND: The Biden administration wants to expand permitted wind energy capacity by 30 GW by 2030 and intends to hold a lease auction later this year for plots between New York and New Jersey. (Reuters)

ALSO:
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will draw up an environmental impact statement on Ørsted’s 1.1 GW Ocean Wind project off the coast of Atlantic City, poised to become New Jersey’s first utility-scale wind farm. (NJ Spotlight)
In New Hampshire, a state siting board will investigate numerous residential complaints about noise and lights coming from the Antrim Wind facility. (Concord Monitor)

***SPONSORED LINK: 2021 IPF Registration is now open! This year, IPF will be both in-person and virtual. IPF Together will be held August 24-26 in Richmond, VA (space is limited due to COVID guidelines). IPF Virtual will be taking place April 22, May 13, and June 17. Learn more and register today!***

TRANSMISSION: Three environmental groups on Friday expanded their lawsuit challenging permits for Maine’s Clean Energy Connect transmission line to include the U.S. Department of Energy. (Bangor Daily News)

GRID: Tens of thousands of power outages were reported across New England yesterday as high winds lashed the region, the vast majority of which were concentrated in Maine and New Hampshire. (NBC 10 Boston)

CLIMATE: A bipartisan senate bill in Pennsylvania would, if passed, increase a state renewable energy goal from 8% of its energy mix to 18% by 2026. (The Center Square)

TRANSPORTATION: Connecticut officials hold a news conference to encourage the state’s participation in the Transportation and Climate Initiative ahead of a legislative committee vote on the matter this week. (New Haven Independent) 

***SPONSORED LINK: What does the future hold as the U.S. accelerates its transition to clean energy? Join the Energy News Network on April 22 for a conversation about what’s next for coal country. Register today!***

HEAT PUMPS: To give residents and businesses a lower-cost clean energy technology sign-up price, four Massachusetts towns have issued a joint request for proposals from installers of certain heat pumps and solar panels. (MetroWest Daily News)

COMMENTARIES:
The Associated Builders & Contractors’ Connecticut chapter president argues a state proposal to require project labor agreements for renewable energy projects would limit competition and wouldn’t further the hiring of underrepresented groups like women and minorities. (Connecticut Mirror)
A Maine union leader cheers local opposition to dam removal along the Kennebec River, claiming such action would eliminate “good-paying union jobs.” (Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel)

Bridget is a freelance reporter and newsletter writer based in the Washington, D.C., area. She compiles the Northeast Energy News digest. Bridget primarily writes about energy, conservation and the environment. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated from Emerson College in 2015 with a degree in journalism and a minor in environmental studies. When she isn’t working on a story, she’s normally on a northern Maine lake or traveling abroad to practice her Spanish language skills.