The Maryland Office of People’s Counsel, the state’s consumer watchdog, has filed two major complaints against the regional power grid operator. It argues that its market and infrastructure planning rules systematically overcharge Maryland electricity customers to subsidize services and infrastructure benefiting other states—particularly Virginia.
See the full story in Inside Climate News.
More DMV News
11-Acre Solar Project in Poolesville Gets Planning Board’s Nod, Despite Opposition
Bethesda Today
Bucking a recommendation from county planners, on Thursday, the Montgomery County Planning Board gave the green light to Rockville solar development company Chaberton Energy’s plans for an 11-acre solar array to be built in Poolesville in the county’s Agricultural Reserve.
Virginia Gas Plant Progresses Despite Opposition
The Bay Journal
In response to increasing energy demand because of extreme weather and the rapid growth of data centers, Dominion Energy plans to build a natural gas plant in Chesterfield, VA. However, the nearby community, which was home to a coal plant for almost 80 years and currently lives near two existing gas plants, has resisted the project for months, citing concerns about air quality.
Maryland Begins First-Ever Inspection Program for EV Chargers
Maryland Matters
The little-known team of 18 Maryland Department of Agriculture inspectors that typically checks equipment such as gas pumps and grocery store scales for accuracy has a new target: electric vehicle chargers.
‘Forever Chemicals’ in Sludge Fertilizer Resistant in Virginia, Maryland
The Bay Journal
The glass of water that Jennifer Campagne draws from her kitchen faucet looks clear and clean. But ever since she had her household well tested and found “forever chemicals” in it, she’s leery of using it, even to make coffee.
National and International News
Senate Overturns EPA Rule on Seven Highly Toxic Air Pollutants
Washington Post
The Senate voted Thursday to overturn an Environmental Protection Agency rule limiting the seven most hazardous air pollutants emitted by chemical plants, oil refineries and other industrial facilities, reversing one of President Joe Biden’s major environmental regulations.
The Hidden Climate Costs of Exporting US Liquefied Natural Gas
Inside Climate News
An exclusive Inside Climate News analysis found that a single year of greenhouse gas emissions from tankers carrying LNG from the United States more than cancels out the annual reductions achieved through driving all the electric vehicles currently on U.S. roads.
Trump Dismisses Scientists Writing the National Climate Assessment
E&E News
The Trump administration on Monday dismissed all of the scientists working on the newest version of the National Climate Assessment, a sweeping report that outlines the growing dangers of rising temperatures for lawmakers, policy experts, and the public.
Farmers are Making Bank Harvesting a New Crop: Solar Energy
Canary Media
Around the world, farmers are retooling their land to harvest the hottest new commodity: sunlight. As the price of renewable energy technology has plummeted and water has gotten more scarce, growers are fallowing acreage and installing solar panels.
‘Build, Baby, Build’: Canada’s New Prime Minister Wants to Make the Country Into An ‘Energy Superpower’
Grist
Canada’s newly elected prime minister wants to turn the country into an “energy superpower,” while promising to respect Indigenous rights, prompting both cautious optimism and skepticism from Indigenous leaders and advocates in Canada.