Happy Friday afternoon all.
This week there is something in the news for everyone – regardless of what side of the energy fence you sit on.
One thing I think we can all get behind is 14-year-old aspiring environmental scientist, Anika Bhagavatula from Wilton, Connecticut. According to a story on EcoWatch.com, Anika found “that a mix of pomegranate husks and orange peels could absorb motor oil two to three times its own weight.”
“Bhagavatula’s project was inspired by the ongoing fears that the Dakota Access Pipeline could spill and pollute the Missouri River. “I wanted to find a natural sorbent which could clean up these oil spills and would replace harmful remediation solutions, which, while effective, can damage the environment,” she added. The eighth grader presented her research at her middle school and state science fairs. She not only took home first place awards for her project, she also earned a spot as a finalist in the 2017 Young Scientist Challenge where she could win $25,000 and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.””
Kudos to Anika.
As always, you can find more news and events at New England Energy News. Have a great weekend.
Natural Gas/Pipeline
With Access Northeast Suspension, No Relief In Sight For Gas-Starved Region, Oil and Gas Investor
Massachusetts regulators approve Berkshire Gas 5-year plan, while insisting company must work to lift moratorium, MassLive.com
New studies reinforce importance of natural gas for clean energy future, PennEnergy
Massachusetts regulators approve NRG gas plant, Utility Dive
US ‘will become one of the world’s top gas exporters by 2020’, The Guardian
Rehoboth officials receive word natural gas project may resurface, The Sun Chronicle
Baker may visit site of proposed compressor station, wwlp.com
Baker facing mounting pressure on Weymouth gas facility, The Boston Globe
Opening of proposed Burrillville power plant delayed until 2020, WPRI 12 Eyewitness News
Inspired By DAPL, 14 Year Old Finds Novel Solution to Pipeline Spills, EcoWatch
Eversource Expands Natural Gas System in New Canaan, HamletHub
Renewable Energy
Controversial clean energy bill becomes law without governor’s signature, New Hampshire Business Review
Falmouth won’t appeal order to shut down wind turbines, Cape Cod Times
Falmouth officials: Turbine losses could total $12M, Cape Cod Times
In New England, Cooperative Values Drive Solar Growth — Episode 41 Of Local Energy Rules Podcast, CleanTechnica
Gov. LePage vetoes solar ‘net metering’ bill, again, Portland Press Herald
Can the world thrive on 100% renewable energy?, The Economist
US Offshore Wind Stays Small As Dominion Energy Moves Forward With DONG Energy On Virginia Project, CleanTechnica
National Grid sees subsidy-free offshore wind by 2040, Windpower Monthly
Rhode Island Looks to Sustain Clean Jobs Gains, RTO Insider
Four local towns look to harness power of the sun; others already have, The Keene Sentinel
As Virginia explores options for carbon trading, joining RGGI a possibility, Southeast Energy News
Rooftop Solar Dims Under Pressure From Utility Lobbyists, New York Times
Project may double MDI’s solar output, Mount Desert Islander
Maine biomass plant offline for third straight month, forfeiting taxpayer cash, Bangor Daily News
Mass. Leaders Featured in Project Highlighting ‘Voices for 100 Percent Renewable Energy,’ Energy Central
Wind turbines damage human health says Portuguese scientist, National Wind Watch
Energy Efficiency
Administration rebuffed on call to cut energy efficiency funds, vtdigger.org
Boston Tops List Of Energy-Efficient Cities, Banker & Tradesman
Energy efficiency is a ‘win-win’ for investors, GreenBiz
Massachusetts aims for 200 MWh energy storage target, Electric Light & Power
Eversource, National Grid atop ACEEE’s Energy Efficiency Scorecard, Electric Light & Power
National Grid revises proposed electric and gas price changes for smaller bill hikes, WatertownDailyTimes.com
Nuclear
Why Nuclear Power, Once Cash Cow, Now Has Tin Cup, Bloomberg
Company Signs Deal To Handle Radioactive Reactor Components At Vermont Yankee, Vermont Public Radio
Vermont Yankee: Anti-nuclear group doubts cleanup plan, Brattleboro Reformer
The Latest In Nuclear Energy, New Hampshire Public Radio
Battle over Connecticut’s Millstone nuclear plant rages on, New Haven Register
Dominion pushes inclusion of Millstone nuke provisions in Connecticut budget bill, Utility Dive
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
Law and Effect: The Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008, WGBH
Debunking Three Myths About “Baseload,” Energy Central
Maine and New England consider stronger CO2 caps, Bangor Daily News
After sector outcry, Massachusetts energy chief defends 200 MWh storage target, Utility Dive
Analysis shows market forces, not policy, driving shifts in power sector, Governor’s Wind and Solar Energy Coalition
Unitil seeks to raise average gas bill 9 percent for households, Bangor Daily News
New England Residents Pay Most in Contiguous US for Electricity, GoLocal Worcester
Connecticut residents pay highest energy costs in nation, analysis finds, New Haven Register
Energy CEOs say investor money and jobs at risk because FERC isn’t functional, CNBC
Concord adamant on burial of Northern Pass power lines, Concord Monitor
Public meetings start for Granite State Power Link, a Northern Pass-like proposal, Concord Monitor
How wholesale power markets and state environmental policies can work together, Utility Dive
Eversource makes case for Sudbury-Hudson power line, MetroWest Daily News
MBTA hides parts of Hudson-to-Sudbury power-line deal, Worcester Telegram
Eversource on hook for Harbor project under deal with feds, Boston Business Journal
3 Ways the Trump Administration Is Changing How It Talks About Energy, Greentech Media
Medway: Massive truck set to deliver Exelon generator, MetroWest Daily News
Towns gear up to fight Eversource herbicide plan, Wicked Local Brewster
Editorial/Opinion
Between the Lines: Frances Crowe Has The Right Idea, Valley Advocate
Commentary: Maine lawmakers siding with passing responsible energy policy, Press Herald
No reason to open new marine monument to oil drilling when industry doesn’t want it, Bangor Daily News
The problems with Trump’s push on natural-gas exports, Axios
Another View: Cheap hydro power from Canada is not so cheap, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Letter: William J. Eccleston: It’s time for RI to fight excessive transmission costs, The Providence Journal
Northeast Energy News 