Pennsylvania communities could be hit hard by rising financial uncertainty in the country s biggest electricity market, according to three new reports. PJM Interconnection includes Pennsylvania and a dozen other states. According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, private equity and private capital-owned power plants in the PJM face financial struggles that have recently resulted in shutdowns. .
The Natural State Initiative latest report recommends increasing access to outdoor recreation, which will help grow the state s economy. The Natural State is home to 52 state parks. The report recommends expanding activities that include rock climbing and trails for cycling and mountain biking in the parks. .
A Virginia pilot program aims to reduce wildlife collisions with cars. The program stems from a $350 million federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program. Six hundred thousand dollars will be allocated to developing infrastructure to improve road safety - particularly in rural areas with the hope of lowering these collisions. .
New York City clean-energy advocates want National Grid to rethink its geothermal pilot program. The program will test the efficacy of a thermal network in New York City Public Housing buildings in Brooklyn. However, a peer review from the Sane Energy Project finds the program only tests how thermal networks heat a building, not heating and cooling. .
New York City clean-energy advocates are examining how the city can best implement geothermal energy. This kind of energy is heat from the Earth that s converted to clean power. National Grid is working with the New York City Housing Authority on a pilot program for some of their buildings in Brooklyn. .