Solar SMART | Solar Music | Solar Storage
Good afternoon,
Several good news stories about solar in New England.
After two years of planning, the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) program is ready and will add 1,600 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity to Massachusetts’ energy portfolio. MassLive reports that SMART “features a flat tariff paid by investor-owned utilities to owners of solar arrays smaller than 5 megawatts, with added incentives for projects that meet certain policy goals.”
Tupelo Music Hall in Derry is about to become the only solar-powered music venue in New Hampshire as a new roof installation on the 20,000 square foot facility will supply the facility’s energy needs year-round, according to NewHampshire.com
Holyoke Gas & Electric, a municipal power utility, is storing solar-generated electricity at the former Mount Tom Power Station coal-and-oil fired electricity plant. A solar array generates the power and the storage system is comprised of lithium ion batteries housed in shipping containers.
More news follows below. Have a great weekend.
Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling
Final Hearings For Proposed Burrillville Power Plant Temporarily Postponed, Rhode Island Public Radio
Battle Over $700M Invenergy Plant Is Far From Over, GoLocalProv
Two dozen Merrimack Valley residents file explosion lawsuit against Columbia Gas, Boston Globe
City Councilor Gomes calls for inspection of city gas lines, Southcoasttoday.com
Columbia Gas explosions prompt Massachusetts to hire gas system evaluator, Utility Dive
Columbia Gas sets restoration timeline, Northandover.wickedlocal.com
Columbia Gas to Cover Losses Related to Gas Disaster, U.S. News & World Report
Renewables/Climate Change/RGGI
Survey: Majority of voters support investment in clean energy, Journal Inquirer
Coalition unveils blueprint for Maine’s energy future, MaineBiz
Virginia slashes proposed RGGI emissions cap by over 15%, carbon-pulse.com
Vt. Environmental Leader Reports Back From 2018 Global Climate Action Summit, VPR Digital
Iberdrola plans to boost U.S. renewable power by about 50 percent: CEO, Reuters
Wind
LePage’s secretive wind energy commission appears near collapse, Portland Press Herald
A Stunningly Low Price for Offshore Wind: Massachusetts Moves Forward, Union of Concerned Scientists
Deepwater probes Revolution, South Fork waters, reNews
Solar
State finally launches new solar incentive known as SMART, MassLive
Massachusetts Clean Energy Advocates Welcome SMART Program Order, seia.org
Industry pushes Baker on stalled Massachusetts solar incentives, MassLive
Tupelo Music Hall going 100 percent solar, NewHampshire.com
Energy Efficiency/Storage
From coal plant to solar farm: Power storage site sees grand opening in Holyoke, MassLive
Jobs in energy efficiency now employ 2.25 million Americans, World Economic Forum
More Than $1 Billion Provided By Connecticut Green Bank For Clean Energy Projects, CleanTechnica
Cheaper Battery Is Unveiled as a Step to a Carbon-Free Grid, New York Times
Nuclear
Activists oppose nuclear waste transport from closed Rowe power plant, MassLive
How to Jumpstart a Micro Nuclear Reactor Industry in the US | Greentech Media, GTM
NRC To Meet On Proposed Sale Of Plymouth Nuclear Plant After Closing, WBUR
Shutdown of N.J. power plant continues with removal of nuclear fuel, NJ.com
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
Four maps show how electricity generation has changed in the US, ArsTechnica
New Jersey utility PSE&G proposes $4 billion plan to advance state’s clean energy goals, CNBC
Generators, greens pan ISO-NE price taker proposal for fuel secure plants, Utility Dive
Electric customers are paying extra for competition says Eversource and the Massachusetts AG agrees, New Hampshire Union Leader
Ripple Effect As National Grid Lockout Enters Third Month, WGBH
Editorial/Opinion
Kelly Ayotte: Push for clean energy begins in New Hampshire, Concord Monitor
Consumers overlooked amid ISO power politics, CommonWealth Magazine
Rep. Berry: CMP power line project a bad deal for Maine, would hurt clean-energy efforts, Portland Press Herald
Maine Compass: Climate risk, not powerline, is the real enemy, Kennebec Journal
Our View: Solar suit aims to put Maine back on track, Kennebec Journal
Strapped to the status quo express, CommonWealth Magazine
Northeast Energy News 