Energy News for week ending February 23, 2018

Extension Cord | Charge it up | Backbone granted

Good Friday afternoon.

As most of you are aware, after last week’s Northeast Energy News was published, MA DOER announced that officials would enter into negotiations with another project while giving Northern Pass until March 27 to overturn the decision of the NH siting board. From CommonWealth Magazine, “While contract talks with Northern Pass continue, the state’s three electric utilities will also begin negotiating power supply contracts with New England Clean Energy Connect, a partnership of Central Maine Power and Hydro-Quebec that the update referred to as “the next best project.” However, some folks in Maine aren’t happy with that idea and want to protect their scenery. One Maine letter writer to the Ellsworth American, says, “Put your wind turbines in the Berkshires and build power dams on the Connecticut River. Leave us alone!”

Today, the Wall Street Journal followed up with a story titled, “New England Has a Power Problem.” It offers a synopsis of all of the challenges and differing opinions that demonstrate how difficult it is to site energy projects in New England. With respect to Northern Pass they write, “But in woodsy New Hampshire, the idea of turning part of the state into an extension cord for Massachusetts has long been controversial. New Hampshire’s Site Evaluation Committee voted the project down this month, citing concerns including a negative impact on tourism and property values.”

This week MassPIRG released its report, “Plugging In: Readying America’s Cities for the Arrival of Electric Vehicles.” From the Gloucester Times, “Electric vehicles will become more mainstream and as that happens drivers will need the infrastructure — mainly charging stations — to support them, according to a MassPIRG report publicized Wednesday that estimated there will be 24,000 electric vehicles in Boston by 2030. The state has a goal of reaching 300,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2025…Cities should make chargers available for people who don’t have driveways or garages, government should encourage sharing of electric cars and bikes, and data about charging stations should be shared to enable drivers to find an open plug-in, MassPIRG recommended.”

North American Wind Power writes that getting ready for offshore wind took a step forward this week with FERC’s decision to give Anbaric Development Partners (ADP), “the right to develop a shared transmission system in support of Massachusetts offshore wind. The FERC decision grants ADP the authority to solicit customers and sell transmission rights to a 2 GW-2.4 GW offshore wind transmission system in southern New England called the Massachusetts Ocean Grid. FERC’s approval of the application allows ADP to offer its backbone transmission system to offshore wind developers that currently hold federal leases, as well as future lease holders, says ADP.”

As always, be sure to check out Northeast Energy News for more stories and events. Have a great weekend.

Northern Pass/83D RFP

BIA endorses Northern Pass, says project’s rejection turning businesses from NH, The Union Leader

National Grid Applauds Mass. Review Of Northern Pass, Citizentribune

New England Has a Power Problem, Wall Street Journal (subscriber content)

Maine project picked as backup for Mass. renewable energy contract, SouthCoastToday.com

Mass. Taps Maine Transmission Line As Clean Energy Supplier If Northern Pass Falls Through, New England Public Radio

Baker selects backup for Northern Pass, CommonWealth Magazine

Mass. Picks Avangrid Project as Northern Pass Backup, RTO Insider

Eversource to seek Northern Pass reconsideration, CommonWealth Magazine

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

Connecticut Natural Gas ordered to pay $1.5 million fine for pipeline safety violations, Litchfield County Times