Energy Efficiency: MBTA & Goodwill | Too Warm for Winter Sports
We are closing out the week with some good news on the energy efficiency front and some not so good news for outdoor skating rinks and other winter sports.
A new $40 million project in partnership with Eversource and National Grid will make the MBTA more energy efficient. MassLive reports that ‘the projects are expected to save the MBTA $2.7 million a year on energy costs, while reducing the MBTA’s electricity use by 7 percent — or an amount equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 4,000 Massachusetts homes.
The projects will include installing high-efficiency LED lighting and lighting controls, upgrading HVAC equipment and building automation controls.’
And Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut is partnering with Eversource to make 17 of its facilities more energy efficient. It is estimated that Goodwill will save more than $148k in annual energy costs. Check out the story in NA Energy for more info.
Sports Illustrated has an important piece on how climate change is impacting outdoor skating rinks, ice fisherman and the snows sports industry. ‘Data collected by RinkWatch, a citizen science project, indicates that the number of high-quality skateable days in Toronto has dropped precipitously in the last few decades. From the late 1950s to the early ’80s, Toronto averaged between 35 and 42 of those days; recently, that number has fallen by 25%.’
Have a wonderful weekend!
Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling
The Next Frontier for Demand Response: Natural Gas, Greentech Media
Columbia Gas’ New President Talks About His Vision For Leading The Company After Disaster, WBUR
900 MW Invenergy natural gas plant faces uncertain future in ISO NE, Utility Dive
Cost for Merrimack Valley gas disaster could hit $1B, New Hamsphire Union Leader
National Grid seeking to raise natural gas rates nearly 7 percent, Newsday
Renewables/Climate Change/RGGI
Winter Is Going: How Climate Change Is Imperiling Outdoor Sporting Heritage, Sports Illustrated
Can Humans Help Trees Outrun Climate Change?, New York Times
Baker admin taking the lead on carbon pricing effort, CommonWealth Magazine
Janet Mills proposes 27-member climate change council, Bangor Daily News
Lawsuit accusing ExxonMobil of ignoring risks from climate change moves forward, PRI
Bill aims to fight climate change, save forests, The Recorder
Wind
Cape Cod Commission review of Vineyard Wind underway, Cape Cod Times
Otis residents favor ban on commercial wind turbines, Ellsworth American
Wind developer offers to conserve land to lessen turbines’ threat to birds, Bangor Daily News
The Northeast leads the country in net-metered wind electricity generation capacity, EIA
Solar
Some Massachusetts Forestland Is Being Clear-cut To Put Up Solar Farms, WGBH
Tiverton Farm Receives $20k Grant For Solar Panels, Patch
Peck Electric Announces Seven Vermont Solar Projects, Solar Industry
City approves solar deal worth $900,000 annually, Valley Breeze
Titan Energy, The Town Of Scotland And Greenskies Renewable Energy Complete Solar Array At Scotland, Patch
Efficiency/Storage
$40 million project will make MBTA more energy efficient, MassLive
Eversource Partners with Goodwill of Western and Northern Connecticut to Help Them Save Money and Energy at 17 Locations, NA Clean Energy
Environmental Groups Add To Pressure For Energy Storage Tax Boost, Forbes
Buying an energy-efficient home is a financially bright idea, USA Today
Nuclear
NRC says Vermont Yankee cask maker violated safety regulations, VTDigger
Closing Pilgrim, WBUR
Georgia Power’s parent: After Vogtle, no new nuclear until maybe 2040, Atlanta Journal Constitution
Market/Grid/Policy/Prices
Gov. Mills proposes climate council to pursue emissions, energy goals, Portland Press Herald
In Madbury: Eversource updates selectmen on Seacoast Reliability Project, Foster’s Daily Democrat
Eversource Energy : Seeks Approval for System Reliability and Clean Energy Investments, Marketscreener
Massachusetts Energy Secretary Matt Beaton will be replaced by WMass native Kathleen Theoharides, MassLive
Ongoing debate over 147-mile CMP line in Maine, The Free Press
Editorial/Opinion
MBTA’s electrification priorities stuck in traffic, CommonWealth Magazine
Maine Voices: CMP plan will allow us to cut emissions while maintaining robust economy, Press Herald
Get the most out of offshore wind revolution, The Day
Delbert Reed: CMP’s proposal really is a good deal for Mainers, Sun Journal
Column: Columbia Gas works to rebuild trust, infrastructure in Massachusetts, Eagle Tribune
Northeast Energy News 