Good afternoon. TGIF. Focusing on some good news this week, let’s start with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts getting praised by environmental activists for its “aggressive” work on reducing gas leaks (MassLive). Second, also from MassLive, President Trump has appointed Massachusetts’ own Cheryl LaFleur to lead FERC – at least for the time being.
Depending on where you stand on the issue – this may be good or bad news – FERC approved Spectra’s Weymouth gas compression station (Patch.com) – but those who aren’t happy are calling on Governor Baker to block it (Wicked Local Weymouth).
Speaking of compression stations, State Rep. Paul Heroux has filed legislation blocking a similar project in Rehoboth (Sun Chronicle). In fact, nearly 6,000 bills were filed for the current legislative session in MA. Among them is one that would require phasing out fossil fuels across all sectors, including heating and transportation, and moving to all renewables by 2050 (Solar Industry).
Two more items of note, Eversource proposed $100M worth of energy storage for MA (Microgrid Knowledge) and Utility DIVE reports that the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy finds organized power markets save about $3 billion annually in generation costs, largely by ensuring lowest-cost units are dispatched when needed.
Have a great weekend.
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Climate Activists Praise Shift In Gas Leak Repair Practices, WAMC
Power & Gas Index: 8 regional charts show the link between gas and electricity markets, Utility DIVE
Heroux files legislation to block Rehoboth gas compression station, The Sun Chronicle
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Gives Spectra Compressor Station OK, Patch.com
Pipeline opponents convince selectmen to rescind approval, Community Advocate
Natural gas prices rise as inventory decreases, FuelFix
Water Use Contested At Special Providence Council Meeting, Rhode Island Public Radio
National Grid withdraws pipeline tax proposal, Ricentral.com
Hidden Data Suggests Fracking Created Widespread, Systemic Impact in Pennsylvania, Public Herald
US LNG exports shift to Europe from Asia, Reuters
Feds: Natural Gas Leaking From Pipeline in Gulf of Mexico, ABC News
Governor urged to oppose compressor station project in Weymouth, Wicked Local Weymouth
Renewable Energy
Mass. Legislators Propose 100% Renewable Energy Mandate, Solar Industry
Uncertainty for wind, solar advocates, The Providence Journal
Road map for struggling biomass industry?, Mainebiz
UConnPIRG’s “lead” campaign strives to create renewable energy future for CT, UConn Daily Campus
Eversource proposes solar array on farmland in Hadley, MassLive.com
LIPA to vote on $740M wind farm project off Rhode Island, Newsday
Home of World’s Biggest Wind Turbine Maker Bypasses Trump Sphere, Bloomberg
Gov stands for dams, Kennebunk Post
Deepwater Wind’s NY Offshore Project On The Verge Of Approval, North American Windpower
Trump orders EPA to remove web page on climate change, says report, CNET
Carbon Tax Among Top Priorities For Environment Council Of RI, Rhode Island Public Radio
Going solar may mean going slower in Vermont, Watchdog.org
Maine’s $13M bailout of biomass plants will mean jobs, but at a cost of $23,700 each, Bangor Daily News
Energy Efficiency
Waltham Company Awarded $50K for Clean Energy Project, Waltham Patch
One of Trump’s First Actions in Office? Stop New Energy Efficiency Standards, Greentech Media
Brandon Sorbom: Designing a fusion future, MIT News
Energy-efficient design, MIT News
School committee talks energy efficiency, Ricentral.com
New program looks to make Mattapoisett more energy efficient, Sippican Week
Environmental groups want more done on clean energy, mass transit, wwlp.com
Nuclear
Millstone Wants Access to Bigger Markets for its Electricity, Hartford Courant
Vermont Yankee buyer lobbies for feds’ blessing, vtdigger.org
State requests hearing on Yankee sale, Rutland Herald
Nuclear dilemma: Plants age, risks rise in wake of failed energy push, Columbia Daily Tribune
NRC to Discuss Pilgrim Inspection Findings Next Week, CapeCod.com News
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
Trump picks Massachusetts native Cheryl LaFleur to lead Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, MassLive
Balsams developers says $2M loan not tied to support of Northern Pass project, Berlin Daily Sun
Connecticut Fuel Cell Microgrid Project Reaches Milestone, Microgrid Knowledge
Proposal aims to reduce utility tax bill, Seacoastonline.com
Study: Deregulated power markets save $3B annually, Utility DIVE
ISO-NE Scarcity Rules Unfair to Generators, FERC Says, RTO Insider
House again passes Kennedy’s energy rates bill, Fall River Herald News
Eversource Proposes $100M for Energy Storage in Massachusetts, Microgrid Knowledge
AG Healey speaks out against Eversource rate hike, GazetteNET
Needham residents push for alternate route for Eversource project, Wicked Local Needham
SPECIAL REPORT: Energy landscape undergoes major changes, Wicked Local Weymouth
Power plant would need 16k gallons of water a day, Johnston Sun Rise
Editorial/Opinion
U.S. Solar Energy Employs More People Than Oil, Coal And Gas Combined, (infographic) Forbes
Your View: What is fracking?, SouthCoastToday.com
We need an insurance policy for climate change, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Business Resolve On Climate Action Is More Urgent Than Ever, Forbes
Will Offshore Wind Continue To Grow Under Trump?, OilPrice.com
Northeast Energy News 