Eclipse Effect | Worcester Flips Switch | Mass policy bad for Moosehead
Happy Friday folks.
We’re ending this week by talking about next week – Monday to be specific – and the total lunar eclipse. Here in Massachusetts the sun is going to be about 60 percent covered by the moon. The eclipse is making great fodder for energy sector news and opinions. So much so that we’ve dedicated a special section to it below. Folks from the natural gas industry say, “Natural gas will shine as it always does,” (Energy Tomorrow) and Microgrid Knowledge asks, “Can a national demand response event fill in the solar gap?” Regardless, the folks at Think Progress tell us that even though the sun will disappear Monday, your electricity won’t.
Speaking of the sun, this week the Telegram tells us how Worcester, MA flipped the switch on New England’s largest municipally-owned solar farm. Encompassing 25 acres (about 19 football fields) and 28,600 solar panels, the solar farm is expected to save Worcester $60 million over its 30-year lifespan. Cool.
Up Maine, some folks aren’t so happy with Massachusetts’ energy policy. According to the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel, people in the Moosehead Lake regional are worried about proposals to build up to 204 new wind turbines generating 703 megawatts of power to meet the needs of clean energy RFPs for their neighbors in southern New England. At stake, they say, is the potential for damage to the rich aquifer that feeds Moosehead Lake and the long, deep Shirley Bog.
Have a great weekend.
Eclipse
An Eclipse Is Just What the US Power Sector’s Been Waiting For, Bloomberg
Can a National Demand Response Event Fill in the Solar Gap for Monday’s Eclipse?, Microgrid Knowledge
Eclipse Mania: Natural Gas Will Shine – As It Always Does, Energy Tomorrow
What Happens to Solar Power in an Eclipse? We’ll Find Out Monday, New York Times
The solar eclipse may knock 9000 Megawatts of solar power offline, TreeHugger
When the sun disappears Monday, your electricity won’t, Think Progress
Amidst Solar Eclipse’s Test On Clean Power, One Smart Grid Solution Offers A Cautionary Tale, Energy Collective
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Kinder Morgan paid Massachusetts State Police $115 thousand to defend controversial pipeline, MuckRock
Compressor foes tell Braintree council about worrisome air-test results, Wicked Local West Roxbury
Energy Industry on Losing End of Methane Ruling in Appeals Court, Natural Gas Intelligence
Is LNG Moving From A Buyers’ To A Sellers’ Market?, OilPrice.com
Eversource investing over $3 million to ensure reliable natural gas service in Cheshire, Meriden Record-Journal
Renewable Energy
Take a look at the 28600 solar panels that are going to save Worcester $60 million, MassLive.com
Worcester flips switch on solar field at old landfill, Telegram
Solar developers and panel makers clash over tariff request, Boston Globe
Think Wind-Generated Power Is Saving People Money? Check Out America’s First Offshore Wind Farm, NewBostonPost
Huge Climate Opportunity If RGGI Governors Step Up, Natural Resources Defense Council
Connecticut Green Bank is national leader, Danbury News Times
Maine Compass: State’s balking at new greenhouse gas cap threatens seafood industry, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Crews break ground on massive Grand Isle solar project, BurlingtonFreePress.com
Massachusetts presents proposed final version of 1600 MW solar policy, pv magazine USA
Solar Groups Welcome Improvements To Mass. SMART Program, Solar Industry
On the climb to renewable energy, solar and wind prices tumble, GreenBiz
Last turbine for first full-scale floating offshore wind farm installed, BBC News
Renewable-Energy Investing Can Shine Despite Trump, Barron’s
GE and Tesla to Outfit 50 Home Depot Stores With Solar Panels, Bloomberg
CLF Ramps Up Fight to Support Maine Solar Power, Energy Central
GE’s Boston-based energy ‘startup’ to outfit 30 Home Depots with solar panels, Boston Business Journal
Innovation is the key to unlocking clean energy, GreenBiz
Energy Efficiency
State Lawmakers Support Strong Federal Efficiency Standards, Natural Resources Defense Council
New Somerville program to offer heating, cooling alternative, Wicked Local Somerville
How Can We Increase Energy Efficiency Investments? Here Are 10 Suggestions, Energy Collective
Nuclear
New Spent Fuel Pad At Vermont Yankee Passes Federal Inspection, Vermont Public Radio
Waterford Ponders How To Financially Survive Possible Millstone Shutdown, Hartford Courant
Malloy Raps Millstone Owner Over Refusal To Open Books, Hartford Courant
US power companies have a history of walking away from nuclear projects, Platts
No subsidies for Pilgrim in emission rules, Cape Cod Times
Holtec completes main work at Vermont Yankee, World Nuclear News
NRC signs off on Vermont Yankee fuel move, VT Digger
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
New Massachusetts rules provide boost toward state climate goals, Utility Dive
Most Mass. businesses avoid full force of emissions rules — for now, anyway, Boston Business Journal (subscriber content)
TOU rates could spur energy and bill savings, but customer advocates urge caution, Utility Dive
Analysis Shows Millions in Potential Electricity Savings Available to Connecticut Consumers, Energy Central
More than 100 people ask if Massachusetts energy policy will destroy Moosehead Lake region, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel
Massachusetts takes on leadership role with new greenhouse gas-cutting regulations, ThinkProgress
Utilities Face More Emissions Cuts in Massachusetts, Bloomberg BNA
Interim FERC Chairman: Coal and Nuclear ‘Need to Be Properly Compensated’, Greentech Media
New FERC quorum faces hefty backlog as market issues loom, Utility Dive
More Canadian hydroelectric power imports could be coming to US following DOE report on Northern Pass, HydroWorld
Northern Pass Achieves Major Federal Permitting Milestone, Londonderry News
Nearby Upgrades Will Strengthen Energy System: Eversource, Patch.com
MIT Set to Upgrade its Cogeneration Plant for Campus Microgrid, Microgrid Knowledge
Rhode Island takes comment on initial grid modernization proposals, Utility Dive
Editorial/Opinion
Another View — David Worthen and Jim O’Brien: New Hampshire’s energy future is now, Union Leader
LAURA ADAMS Weymouth: Don’t believe gas industry on compressor, The Patriot Ledger
My Turn: Aaron Regunberg: Let’s fight back against rate increase, The Providence Journal
Dolly McPhaul: Governor Sununu Wrong About Northern Pass, Caledonian Record
Our Opinion: Seeking right balance in curbing emissions, Berkshire Eagle
Commentary: In the end, Mainers will reject regulators’ anti-clean-energy rule, Press Herald
Editorial: All in favor of wood-burning that’s gentler on environment, The Recorder
My Turn: Let’s stick to facts on Quebec hydropower, Concord Monitor
Gasoline to EV path is uncharted, complex and unfathomably large – that’s not hating, it’s reality, BOE Report
Price shouldn’t be sole focus of clean energy buys, CommonWealth Magazine
Northeast Energy News 