FERC Needs Changes | No Safety Hazard | MA Auto Recyclers Reduce CO2
Welcome to this week’s Energy News. Let’s jump in.
Utility Dive dug into a white paper by the Analysis Group that proposed changes to how gas pipeline projects before the FERC are considered and approved. They write, “The group’s concern is that the market could develop excess capacity, in turn stranding investments. ‘Some industry observers are increasingly concerned about the potential to overbuild capacity on the interstate system in light of anticipated transitions in the nation’s energy system in the future,’ the firm wrote. ‘And there are growing questions about FERC’s balancing of public benefits versus adverse consequences in the context of case-by-case review of applications.’ The paper was commissioned by the Natural Resources Defense Council.”
Following up on last week’s stories about Columbia Gas’ projects in Western MA, MassLive reports that Ludlow “town fire and public safety officials see no danger in Columbia Gas of Massachusetts’ plan to build a facility here to provide better access to the interstate Tennessee Gas Pipeline. The town has only had preliminary meetings with Columbia Gas, said Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane. But in the interest of improving gas service to residents sees no reason to reject Columbia Gas’ plans.”
Last for this week is good news out of WPI which conducted a study to see if automotive recyclers were helping the state reduce carbon emissions. Recycling International reports the study was commissioned by the Automotive Recyclers of Massachusetts and the results demonstrated ARM is reducing the state’s carbon footprint by at least 2.2 million tons of CO2 each year.
As always, be sure to check out Northeast Energy News for more stories and events. Stay warm and have a great weekend.
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Analysis Group: Time for FERC to consider changes to gas pipeline siting, Utility Dive
Massachusetts lawmakers press for law banning ‘pipeline tax,’ Utility Dive
Baker refuses to disavow new pipeline capacity, CommonWealth Magazine
Energy pipelines are on ice, but Baker is still getting heat on natural gas, Boston Globe
Longmeadow: No public safety hazard in Columbia Gas proposal, MassLive
ISO-NE Bars Invenergy Plant from FCA 12, RTO Insider
Bipartisan legislators push for gas industry reforms, Wicked Local Burlington
Concerns raised about utilities’ natural gas dependence, vtdigger.org
EIA: Pennsylvania’s natural gas production reaches new high, WorldOil
Ohio sues developer behind Dakota Access Pipeline over pollution issues, ThinkProgress
Environmentalists just gained a new enemy in the fight against natural gas pipelines, ThinkProgress
How Dominion Energy, Fracked Gas Giant, Lost Big in Virginia Election, DeSmog
Congress, Big Oil Collude to Charge Anti-Pipeline Activists as Domestic Terrorists, Mintpress News
Renewable Energy
Bourne Tidal Turbine Test Site Becomes A Reality, CapeNews.net/Bourne Enterprise
Powerline: NHPR Series Looks at Origins of Clean Energy in New England, NHPR
ISO: Solar, wind help power New England, Hartford Business
What The House GOP Tax Plan Could Mean For Renewable Energy, Solar Industry
The geopolitical implications of renewable energy, Business Insider
100% Renewable Electricity to Power the World by 2050? It’s Happening, Study Says, EcoWatch
Offshore wind Jones Act vessel study released, (press release) Windpower Engineering
Chilmark selectmen won’t endorse Bay State Wind project, MV Times
New Democratic Governor in New Jersey Could Ignite State’s Offshore Wind Sector, Renewable Energy News
Energy Efficiency
Alliance to Save Energy president testifies against proposed changes to ENERGY STAR Program, Daily energy Insider
Energy Efficiency: Bipartisan Solution That Needs Support, Natural Resources Defense Council
South Portland business owner plans to open ‘green’ car and dog wash, Press Herald
Lincoln resident drops energy bill through Mass Save, Wicked Local Lincoln
Could stretch codes supercharge the green building marketplace,? GreenBiz.com
How car recyclers in one US state help reduce carbon footprint, Recycling International
Nuclear
Feds prolong review of Vermont Yankee sale, VT Digger
France backpedals on pledge to cut reliance on nuclear power, Seattle Times
Advanced Nuclear Finds a More Welcome Home in Canada, MIT Technology Review
Entergy opposes proposed decommissioning fee, Wicked Local Marshfield
Film Details Grassroots Effort To Close Vermont Yankee Power Plant, Cape Cod Chronicle
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
No plans for increase in electric rate, Sentinel and Enterprise
Eversource seeks higher winter power rates, MassLive.com
CMP seeks support to build transmission line, Sun Journal
Forgotten by Eversource for years — and then hit with a $29,000 bill, Boston Globe
A big 48 MWh Tesla Powerpack system will power the island of Nantucket, Electrek
Con Edison Transmission gets regulatory approval for Maine Power Express, Energy Business Review
Eversource is ever-optimistic about its Northern Pass power line project, The Boston Globe
FERC Accepts ISO-NE Methodology for Interconnection Cluster Studies, Lexology
Boxford town officials put National Grid on the hot seat, Wicked Local Topsfield
Generators Seek Rehearing of ISO-NE CONE Ruling, RTO Insider
Sudbury: State board denies town’s request to stay Eversource case, MetroWest Daily News
Mandatory state policies work best to curb power plant emissions, study finds, Science Daily
National Grid says it was prepared, but not for this kind of storm, Eagle-Tribune
Former FERC Chairman Joins the Chorus Criticizing Rick Perry’s Coal, Nuke Proposal, Greentech Media
National Grid Develops Innovative Solution for an Island Community’s Unique Energy Challenges, Energy Central
FERC Approves ISO-NE Queue Clustering, RTO Insider
Developers of 1 GW Gas Plant Barred from New England Power Auction, Power Engineering
USDA aiding Maine island electric co-op with $1.5M loan, Penn Energy
ISO New England predicts declining loads due to solar, efficiency, Utility Dive
Con Edison Transmission gets regulatory approval for Maine Power Express, Energy Business Review
Rhode Island lays out strategy for grid modernization, Utility Dive
US report finds Tesla Model S can emit more ‘lifetime CO2’ than a petrol supermini, AutoExpress
Editorial/Opinion
Editorial: Nice to see concerns on pipeline projects heard, considered, Greenfield Recorder
New England and other cold weather areas need more energy pipelines, ArcaMax
Bring checks and balances to the SEC, New Hampshire Business Review
Why Mainers Should Be Outraged Over Worst Power Outage In State’s History, Forbes
Pointless roadblocks for NorthStar could discourage company, Commons
Planning for the future of the Indian Point workforce: Editorial Spotlight, The Journal News | LoHud.com
Public Outreach Is Needed to Gain Support for the Nuclear Power Industry, POWER magazine
Grateful for response from National Grid, The Daily Gazette
LETTER: House Bill 3564 no good for Massachusetts, South Coast Today
Viewpoint: ITC should focus on economic benefits of solar panel tariff case, Boston Business Journal (subscriber content)
Letters: Leave Candlewood Mountain Alone, Hartford Courant
Northeast Energy News 