Happy Friday. In this week’s energy news the Boston Globe reports that despite protests, the Spectra pipeline began transmitting gas on Thursday. Bruce Gellerman of WBUR brings listeners (and readers) inside Northfield Mountain to learn about New England’s largest battery. And in Rhode Island, according to EcoRI, the CLF is pushing back against a pipeline tax after similar measures in other NE states were struck down by the courts
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Pipeline protesters glad Mayor Walsh came to West Roxbury vigil, Wicked Local West Roxbury
West Roxbury pipeline to open, despite protests, The Boston Globe
Vermont to miss benefits of falling natural gas prices, Watchdog.org
Residents gear up to oppose Rehoboth natural gas compressor station, WPRI 12
EPA’s late changes to fracking study downplay risk of drinking water pollution, Marketplace.org
Law Foundation Again Seeks Dismissal of Pipeline Tax, ecoRI news
Renewable Energy
Small, clean energy projects chosen to boost power grid, WLNE-TV (ABC6)
Solar farm takes root on former Worcester landfill, Telegram & Gazette
Upstate NY towns embroiled in fight over tall wind turbines, Penn Energy
Is Burning Wood CO2 Neutral?, Energy Collective
Things Mainers can do to combat climate change, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Offshore wind energy looks to space industry for synergies, Offshore Wind Journal
Connecticut Advances Small-Scale Renewables Contracts, RTO Insider
Republican gains in Maine’s legislature cloud rooftop solar’s future, Utility DIVE
How Rhode Island’s Offshore Wind Farm Affects Fishermen, WBUR
Deepwater nabs Delaware lease, reNews
Maersk, Dong Energy in $10B merger talks, Kallanish Energy
DEEP gives initial approval to four solar projects in region, theday.com
Small, clean energy projects chosen to boost power grid, WLNE-TV (ABC6)
Somersworth committee recommends solar exemption, Foster’s Daily Democrat
Fuel Cells Lose Out In Latest Round of Connecticut’s Clean Energy Picks, WNPR
Despite political shifts, solar decision expected by year’s end in Maine, Press Herald
Energy Efficiency
White House rushing out energy efficiency rules in flurry of 11th-hour actions, Utility DIVE
Homes at Derby’s Singer Estate set new efficiency standards, CT Post
VSAC receives Energy Star honor, Barre Montpelier Times Argus
11 Connecticut clean energy projects advance in DEEP program, New Haven Register
Nuclear
Without the Clean Power Plan, are nuclear plants essential to combat climate change?, Utility Dive
State panel meets after announcement of Vermont Yankee sale, The Daily Progress
Battery made from a diamond and nuclear waste could last thousands of years, TreeHugger.com
NextEra reaches tentative deal with nuke plant union, The Daily News of Newburyport
Pilgrim nuclear power plant undergoing thorough review, The Patriot Ledger
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
New England’s Largest Battery Is Hidden Inside A Mass. Mountain, WBUR
Otten says Northern Pass could save the Balsams resort $200000 annually, Union Leader
Needham Board of Health finds no risks related to Eversource project, Wicked Local Needham
Emera Maine customers will see small bill increase next month, WAGM
Gov. Paul LePage pushes for cheaper electricity, Lewiston Sun Journal
In New Hampshire, stakeholders debate the next NEM successor tariff, Utility DIVE
Salem PowerChoice Program to Offer Lower Prices, Salem Patch
Nova Scotia plans cap-and-trade program for power plant CO2 emissions, Utility DIVE
Editorial/Opinion
Jim Roche: Energy cost and reliability are hitting NH employers, The Union Leader
Bury or don’t bury: Eversource can’t win, The Union Leader
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: Natural gas projects prioritize profit over safety, Wicked Local Weymouth
Northeast Energy News 