Energy News for week ending June 21, 2019

LaFleur Leaving FERC Late August | No on Burrillville | $18 Billion

Good afternoon. Here are few quick hits from this week’s energy news.

From S&P Global Platts, “US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission member Cheryl LaFleur will step down at the end of August, she announced on Twitter Thursday. The departure of LaFleur, a Democrat, likely will restore a Republican majority at the commission responsible for critical decisions affecting the US electric power and natural gas sectors. FERC has had an even 2-2 split of Republicans and Democrats since former Commissioner Kevin McIntyre died in early January. The White House has yet to nominate his replacement, although FERC General Counsel James Danly is considered the likely nominee. Whether the White House would put forward a Democrat to replace LaFleur in the near future is more uncertain. ‘After 9 amazing years, I will be leaving @FERC at the end of August,’ LaFleur wrote, noting that FERC’s July 18 open meeting would be her last.”

From the Providence Journal we learn, “In a long-awaited decision with far-reaching implications for the state’s energy regime and environment, Rhode Island regulators on Thursday rejected approval of a proposal to build a $1-billion fossil-fuel burning power plant in Burrillville that would be among New England’s largest. The Energy Facility Siting Board is the lead permitting agency for major energy projects in Rhode Island, and its decision to deny a license to the Clear River Energy Center would appear to seal the fate of the divisive proposal put forward by the Chicago-based developer Invenergy four years ago. The company has the right to appeal the ruling to the Rhode Island Supreme Court, but it is unclear if it will.”

The last tidbit for this week comes from the Salem News, “Massachusetts will have to spend more than $18 billion to fortify its coastline against rising seas and monster storms fueled by a changing climate, according to a new report. The report, compiled by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Climate Integrity — a nonprofit that supports states and communities that sue polluters — estimates the state would have to spend that much over the next 20 years to fortify seawalls and other barriers to defend against erosion, flooding and other impacts of a warming planet. Nationwide, 22 coastal states and Washington, D.C. will have to spend $400 billion collectively in that period to fend off the impacts of climate change, the report stated.”

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

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

U.S. Oil, Gas Hit Record Production Levels in 2018, Wall St. Journal

New York emissions-reduction bill would push natural gas out of power sector by 2040, Platts

No on Burrillville power plant: State agency rules it’s not needed, Providence Journal

NiSource Plans Sale of Unit Tied to Gas Explosions, Bloomberg L.P.

President promises to avoid disasters, Eagle-Tribune

Eversource pledges to fix gas leaks near 5 Worcester schools, Telegram.com

Weymouth

Compressor foes state their case at hearing, Patriot Ledger

Confused About The Weymouth Compressor? Here’s What You Need To Know, WBUR

Federal Pipeline Regulators Hear Safety Concerns About Weymouth Compressor From Officials and Residents, WGBH