Thorough Review | Seaweed Energy | Cow Power
Good Friday afternoon.
This week brought news from CommonWealth Magazine that the MA DPU is launching “a thorough review” of allegations in a recent report that Eversource Energy and Avangrid Inc. artificially constrained natural gas pipeline capacity in New England and drove up electricity prices by $3.6 billion over three years.
Up in Maine, Penn Energy reports that the University of New England in Maine is receiving more than $1.3 million in federal money to develop methods for the U.S. to become a leader at utilizing seaweed for uses such as energy.
And, sticking with not your average energy sources, the Berkshire Eagle says in Dalton, MA, “the town is embracing wind energy, but officials plan to chew a bit more on “cow power.” The Select Board heard a pitch Monday from Hampshire Power to buy electricity produced from cow manure and compost. Doing so would support green energy and yield credits to reduce its electric bill. The five-member board decided to hold off on a decision until its next meeting.”
Have a great weekend.
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Data shows two companies stand alone in their New England pipeline practices, Environmental Defense Fund
Gas leaks increase in Concord, Wicked Local Concord
Massachusetts regulators to review allegations Eversource, Avangrid constrained pipelines, Utility Dive
Tribal dispute provokes another call for state intervention in Burrillville power plant debate, WPRI 12 Eyewitness News
Burrillville power plant decision delayed over changes to water plan, Valley Breeze
Citizens against the Rehoboth compressor station host Newton Mayor Setti Warren in Attleboro, The Sun Chronicle
Challenge to AIM Pipeline Approval Before DC Circuit Court, Patch.com
Wind energy project off LI to be called Empire Wind, Newsday
Study: Fracking Chemicals Harm Kids’ Brains, EcoWatch
Most Resolutions Against 1 GW Burrillville Plant Suppressed, Power Engineering
Activists bring pipeline protest to downtown Northampton, Hampshire Gazette
Amherst Board of Health asks Baker for more data on natural gas pipelines, Daily Hampshire Gazette
DPU reviewing report’s pipeline claims, CommonWealth Magazine
Renewable Energy (Policy, Miscellaneous, etc.)
Miller Environmental Group Installs First Utility Based Community Geothermal System on Long Island, New York for National Grid, Business Insider
Vinal Tech students unveil Connecticut’s ninth renewable energy E-house, New Haven Register
GE Renewable Energy Continues Strong 2017 Growth, CleanTechnica
Google’s New Office Complex Will Use a Massive Heat Pump Instead of Fuel, Fortune
Maine university getting more than $1M for seaweed-to-energy, Penn Energy
Dalton ponders ‘cow power’ for town electrical needs, Berkshire Eagle
Wind
New Study Finds Offshore Wind May Be Haven for Sea Life, Greentech Media
Light at the end of the tunnel for US offshore wind power, Recharge
Delaware Researchers Discover How to Cut Offshore Wind Construction Costs by $1.6B, Renewable Energy World
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center releases port assessment for offshore wind industry, Windpower Engineering
Developers Plan Wind Farms Off Jersey as Christie Era Ends, Bloomberg
Offshore wind ushers in a new time on Block Island, Windpower Engineering
Distributed Wind Turbine Makers Bolstered by Energy Department Grants, Greentech Media
Deepwater commits to New Bedford for Revolution project, Recharge
Solar
Ruling leads to increased solar panel prices, MetroWest Daily News
Rhode Island Solar Program Hits Cap, Installers Irked, ecoRI news
Solar Panel Facility Eyed At Former West Haven Landfill, Patch.com
Energy Efficiency
Battery storage, smart grid and energy efficiency investment tops $1bn, Power Engineering International
I-Team: After Expensive Energy Upgrades, Consumers Struggle To Get Promised Mass Save Rebates, CBS Boston / WBZ
NH House panel to weigh energy-efficiency charge opt-out bill, New Hampshire Business Review
Simple Energy Brings Instant Utility Rebates to Retail Outlets, Greentech Media
Nuclear
Oh, another wrinkle on budget deal: Millstone’s profitability, The CT Mirror
NRC presses Seabrook nuke plant on concrete problem, Seacoastonline.com
Whistleblowers Share Insights About Vermont Yankee Doc, Seven Days
New England Coalition defends expert witnesses in NorthStar hearings, vtdigger.org
Activists mobilize on nuclear power proposals, Cape Cod Times
Cyr Files Bill to Increase Authority of Pilgrim Decommissioning Panel, CapeCod.com News
As climate change fuels fears about nuclear waste, Maine looks to Trump for solution, Bangor Daily News
Former energy secretary highlights national security, low-carbon benefits of nuclear, Daily Energy Insider
Connecticut passes bill to support Dominion’s Millstone nuclear plant, Utility Dive
DOE NOPR
Connecticut AG opposes federal Energy Department’s proposed coal, nuclear subsidies, New Haven Register
RTOs Reject NOPR; Say Fuel Risks Exaggerated, RTO Insider
DOE’s Coal, Nuclear Cost Recovery Plan Receives Onslaught of Opposition, Greentech Media
Obama discriminated against coal, nuclear: US energy secretary, Reuters
What States Told FERC About the DOE’s Grid Resiliency Rule [INFOGRAPHIC], POWER magazine
DOE NOPR opponents: No basis for expanded FPA to justify coal, nuke cost recovery, Utility Dive
FERC Commissioner Gives Perspective on the Energy Markets in Light of NOPR, Renewable Energy World
Connecticut AG opposes federal Energy Department’s proposed coal, nuclear subsidies, New Haven Register
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
Eversource puts tab for memberships on ratepayers, CommonWealth Magazine
Town committee proposes resolution opposing Eversource rate increase, The Recorder
Northern Pass noise claims challenged, The Union Leader
Workshop To Discuss National Grid’s Electric Rates and Rate Hike: Rep. Lancia, Patch.com
Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs, Utility Dive
New Hampshire won’t join Clean Power plan suit – at least not yet, New Hampshire Business Review
The Energy 202: Tax debate opens door for renewables to get same break as fossil fuels, Washington Post
Board kills directive to bury power lines at park, Penn Energy
Bill would allow municipalities to develop microgrids, Penn Energy
NY regulators move to protect consumers in DER market, Utility Dive
US sounds alarm over increased cyber threat to energy, other sectors, Utility Dive
Maine Legislative Committee to Consider Community Microgrids as a “Force for Good,” Microgrid Knowledge
Hydro-Quebec, DOE to explore collaboration on storage, EVs, Utility Dive
New law allows NY to restrict oil tanker Hudson anchorages, Penn Energy
Editorial/Opinion
Viewpoint: Massachusetts is investing in clean-energy tech for businesses, BBJ (subscriber content)
No, Solar Doesn’t Have a Customer Acquisition Problem, Greentech Media
The key to tackling climate change: electrify everything, Vox.com
RGGI has been effective but Rep. Vadney opposes it, The Laconia Daily Sun
Northeast Energy News 