A coalition that represents solar developers in Virginia plans to ask the legislature to change how solar projects are approved at the local level, arguing that municipal bans are hurting efforts to meet the requirements of the state’s 2020 Clean Economy Act.
See the full story at Virginia Mercury.
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Gov. Wes Moore Points to Montgomery County as Leader for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
WUSA9
Moore stood with Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and said the county is a leader in EV adoption by focusing on charging infrastructure. Elrich’s administration has also cleared permitting hurdles for residents who want to install chargers in front of homes.
Advocates, Lawmakers Hope 2025 Will be the Year Maryland Stops Subsidizing Trash Incineration
Inside Climate News
For more than a decade, Maryland Sen. Karen Lewis Young tried to get the state to pull the plug on public subsidies for trash incineration, a form of energy that’s considered dirtier than coal. None of the bills have crossed the finish line.
Clubs, Businesses Join Ocean City Lawsuit Against Feds Over Offshore Wind Project
Maryland Matters
Ocean City, backed by local governments and businesses, made good on its threat to sue the federal government over its approval of a massive wind farm about 10 miles off the coast of the tourist town.
Will a Cleaner Chesapeake Bay Mean More Fish and Crabs? It’s Complicated
Bay Journal
Bay scientists caution that the link between nutrient reductions and increased fish abundance is highly uncertain. In a report last year, they warned of a need for “grounding” the public’s expectations about the recovery of aquatic life even if cleanup goals are met.
National and International News
Solar is Helping Schools Save Big. Your District Could be Next.
Canary Media
Nearly 9,000 K-12 schools nationwide have installed solar panels. Here’s how you can help your district tap into the cheap, clean energy source.
The Department of Energy Wants to Pay Companies to Make Greener Solar Panels
Grist
As a new wave of domestic solar manufacturing kicks into high gear, the DOE hopes the prize will ensure that companies use efficient processes, sustainable materials, fair labor practices, and low-carbon energy.
Scientists May Have Solved the Mystery Behind a Top Climate Threat
The Washington Post
Almost two decades ago, the atmosphere’s levels of methane — a dangerous greenhouse gas that is over 80 times as potent as carbon dioxide in the short term — started to climb. And climb. Scientists were baffled — and concerned. But now, a study sheds light on what’s driving record methane emissions.
Hundreds are Dead in Spain’s Floods. Scientists See a Connection to Climate Change
NPR
Climate change made this week’s intense rainfall in Spain about 12% heavier and twice as likely, according to a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution, an international network of scientists who assess the impact of climate change on major weather events.
Climate Change is Making Disasters Deadlier. Here’s How Much.
The New York Times
Two weeks before world leaders meet to debate the climate crisis, a report released on Thursday shows the 10 deadliest extreme weather events in the past two decades were made worse by burning fossil fuels.