It’s Friday so it’s time for the weekly energy news. Eversource filed a rate case this week calling for price hikes that the Berkshire Eagle says could “shock” Western MA customers. Shortly after the filing, MA Attorney General Healey issued a press release and told the Boston Globe that profits should go to “customers as savings, not raising rates.”
In other news, a CT lawmaker is trying to save Millstone from the same fate of other nuclear plants – that is shutting down due to low wholesale energy prices (New Haven Register). Lastly, the EIA released data that power sector emissions dropped below the transportation sector for first time in 4 decades (Utility DIVE).
Have a great weekend and Go Pats!
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Rep. Lynch Calls on Full Report on Leak at Spectra Station, Patch.com
Opponents of Weymouth gas compressor rue lost opportunity to stop project, The Patriot Ledger
Spectra says it’s willing to meet with Weymouth council about gas leak, Wicked Local
National Grid Rhode Island Pulls Access Northeast Regulatory Filing, Natural Gas Intelligence
Grafton selectmen rescind approval for gas pipeline drilling, Worcester Telegram
Renewable Energy
Sunrun partners with National Grid to expand rooftop solar, storage, Utility Dive
Corporate Buyers Which states make buying wind power easy for big brands?, The AWEA (blog)
Council OKs delay on solar power plants, Ricentral.com
Largest solar facility in Massachusetts goes live, The Salem News
Renewable Energy Is “Gaining Ground According To Nearly Every Measure,” says IRENA, Clean Technica
Energy Efficiency
Sustainable energy group offers expert tips for homeowners, Commons
Connecticut Honda Dealer Achieves Grid Neutral Status, Justmeans
Did you know marijuana is America’s most energy-intensive crop?, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Energy-Efficient Improvements to Waltham Ice Rink Will Save Approximately $15k, Patch.com
Nuclear
Connecticut nuclear plant seeks to bid on state contracts, The Daily Progress
Connecticut lawmaker aims to ensure Millstone stays open, New Haven Register
Key player in Vermont Yankee closure leaving Entergy, Brattleboro Reformer
Vermont Yankee could be sold to New York company, Brattleboro coalition yet to determine next steps, The Recorder
Miniaturized Nuclear Power Plant? US Reviewing Proposed Design, NPR
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
EIA: Power sector emissions drop below transportation sector for first time in 4 decades, Utility DIVE
Eversource seeks big distribution rate hike, CommonWealth Magazine
Eversource requests electric rate hike that could shock Western Mass. Customers, Berkshire Eagle
Healey wants to pull plug on Eversource’s proposed rate hike, The Boston Globe
There’s a revolution happening in electricity. Utilities need to keep up, Vox.com
Report Describes $5.9B in Health Benefits from RGGI’s Carbon Reductions, MicroGrid Knowledge
NK knocked back by National Grid, Ricentral.com
Forest Society seeks details of fiscal relationship between Balsams, Northern Pass, Conway Daily Sun
Mercer wants city to be backup water source for power plant, Valley Breeze
Massachusetts eyes lofty electric car goal, Wicked Local Billerica
Medway power plant critics place hopes on environmental appeal, MetroWest Daily News
Officials probing after several manholes explode in Brockton, Penn Energy
Editorial/Opinion
Listen to the real energy concerns, New Hampshire Business Review
Fracking Blamed For Early Closure Of NY Nuclear Plant, Forbes
Paul Burns: Clean energy works for Vermont, vtdigger.org
How Bangor and Portland are taking meaningful action against climate change, Bangor Daily News
Rooftop Solar: Too Expensive to Meter, Energy Collective
Getting real about natural gas in Massachusetts, Lowell Sun
Northeast Energy News 