Credit: American Public Power Association/Unsplash

Nine northeastern US states launch alliance to speed clean energy transmission and bypass grid operator delays

A coalition of nine states in the US Northeast has announced a new strategy to jointly govern and plan interstate electric grid expansion, aiming to break through regional gridlock and accelerate clean energy development.

Aman Azhar reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

The states — Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont — unveiled the Strategic Action Plan on Interregional Transmission on April 28, establishing a model to coordinate and finance cross-border power lines.
The move follows years of frustration with PJM Interconnection and other grid operators over delays and cost hikes that have slowed renewable energy rollouts and burdened consumers.
The plan emphasizes public-interest goals over profit, with proposals to standardize equipment, pool procurement, and launch a joint request for transmission projects that meet climate mandates and reduce fossil fuel use.

Key quote:

“This collaboration illustrates exactly why state-led action is so important.”

— Wes Moore, governor of Maryland

Why this matters:

The U.S. electric grid wasn't designed to move clean energy across long distances, but that's exactly what's needed to meet renewable energy goals and fight climate change. Many states now have ambitious targets to cut emissions, but they're running into roadblocks because current grid systems prioritize the needs of legacy utilities and rely on fragmented regional oversight. Without a coordinated approach, states like Maryland and New Jersey — heavy power importers with bold renewable mandates — risk falling short of their climate commitments. The lack of interregional planning has also left many solar and wind projects stranded in a backlog of approval processes. By stepping in to lead transmission planning, states hope to streamline development and reduce consumer costs, while cutting dependence on fossil fuels during peak demand.

insideclimatenews.org

A map of the Great Lakes and surrounding U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

Credit: Lesniewski/BigStock Photo ID: 202538167

The Great Lakes want to be the Silicon Valley of water

As climate extremes dry out the West and global tensions mount, the Great Lakes region is betting big on its most abundant resource: fresh water. The first in a series investigating the blue economy in the Great Lakes region.

Brett Walton reports for the Great Lakes News Collaborative: Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now, Michigan Public, and The Narwhal.

Keep reading...Show less

Read the Full Article on

www.circleofblue.org

Nine northeastern US states launch alliance to speed clean energy transmission and bypass grid operator delays

EPA guts science, staff, and environmental justice in sweeping shakeup

Geothermal energy is revolutionizing school heating systems and cutting costs

The Great Lakes want to be the Silicon Valley of water

Young people are aging into a climate crisis with no clear roadmap

Colombia recognizes Indigenous governments in Amazon in historic shift toward autonomy

Trump’s climate rule repeal sets stage for fossil fuel revival and threatens renewable growth

USDA will bring back deleted climate content following lawsuit

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.