Energy News for week ending August 17, 2018

Abnormally hot | There’s something in the water | Focus on affordability

Happy Friday afternoon.

If you think it’s been hot this summer and your electric bill is skyrocketing from running the A/C so much, you might want to skip this story from US News and World Report, 2018 to 2022 Expected to Be Abnormally Hot. “Around the world, the years 2018 to 2022 are expected to be abnormally hot. According to a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications, researchers developed a new system that predicted the current record-setting heat wave will likely continue through 2022, according to a press release. Most recently, June 2018 was the third warmest June on record for the U.S., July was the 11th warmest and the period from May through July was the warmest ever on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The press release stated temperatures will likely be hotter than expected because of global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions.”

Cooling off often means a dip in the water. And while people swimming off the Cape have sharks to worry about, the folks on Block Island need not worry about the exposed electric cable. According to a story in the Block Island Times, brought to us via National Wind Watch, Grid seeking remedy to cable issue, “The sea2shore transmission cable, installed by National Grid as part of the Block Island Wind Farm project, can now be seen about 25 feet from Town Beach at low tide…Beachgoers were floating and swimming above the cable, which at low tide was about three feet below the water…There are 34,500 volts running through the cable. ‘While we share the concern about public safety, we are confident that the cable itself is, as it always has been, safe even if not fully covered by sediment,’ he [Ted Kresse, Director of Strategic Communications for National Grid] said.”

Last story for this week we bring an article from Vermont Biz New England governors urge ISO-NE to focus on affordability, “Connecticut Governor Dannell Malloy, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and Vermont Governor Phil Scott today issued the following statement related to ISO New England and affordable electricity… ‘Affordable and reliable energy is a fundamental precursor for a vibrant and competitive New England economy. New England states have to be competitive to attract and retain businesses and residents. Efforts must be made to keep electric rates as affordable as possible. Increasingly, cleaner sources of energy have also become important to our energy system, regional economy, and shared environment. It is vital that our pursuit of a reliable and lower-carbon grid leverage available technologies and competitive markets to foster affordable electric rates for all consumers, particularly the most vulnerable among us…’”

That’s the recap for this week. Have a wonderful weekend.

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

New Granite Bridge gas pipeline gains support, New Hampshire Union Leader

Tennessee Gas to beef up Agawam compressor and build two-mile pipeline loop, MassLive

FERC rules in favor of natural gas pipeline project, WKBW

The Latest Pipeline Battle Is Ramping Up in New York, The Nation

As National Grid lockout enters week 8, some say ‘hard feelings’ will linger beyond bargaining, Boston Business Journal

The US’ hidden methane problem, Climate Home News

Is the anti-pipeline playbook starting to work?, E and E News

Report: Cheap Natural Gas and Renewables Could Close Half of US Coal Fleet by 2030, Greentech Media

Renewables/Climate Change/RGGI

Somerset has $10M in free cash certified; among first in the state, Herald News