Will he or won’t he sign | Mayflower Sees More Savings | Giant Jenga
Happy Friday folks.
Welcome to the first 2021 edition of the Northeast Energy News.
The big question – which at the writing of this newsletter remains open – is will Governor Baker sign the Climate Bill (and several others) into law or not. Many organizations are speaking out in support. We have a whole section of articles on the climate bill below and most look at it from different angles.
Today, Mayflower Wind announced additional savings for customers of Massachusetts’ three largest electric utilities coming from the federal Investment Tax Credit. OffshoreWind.biz says it best, Mayflower Wind Electricity Users Stand to Save USD 500 Million.
We love new technology and had a toss-up between the Washington Post article on how researchers are converting carbon dioxide into jet fuel. But the giant Jenga won out. From IEEE Spectrum Gravity Energy Storage Will Show Its Potential in 2021.
That’s the recap for this week. As always enjoy the weekend and stay safe.
Massachusetts Climate Bill
Massachusetts Enshrines Net-Zero Emissions by Midcentury in Bill, Greentech Media
Natural Gas Power Reliance Factors Heavily in Massachusetts Net-Zero Actions, Power Magazine
Climate Roadmap Bill Sent To Baker’s Desk, State House News Service via WBUR
Massachusetts climate legislation is ‘roadmap’ to decarbonization, say clean energy groups, Utility Dive
Massachusetts lawmakers deal blow to Springfield biomass project, MassLive
Here’s a look at the winners and losers in the state’s far-reaching climate bill, Boston Globe
Climate bill would clear up solar tax confusion, CommonWealth Magazine
Noting 2018 Gas Explosions, Area Legislators Add Safety Provisions to Climate Change Bill, WHAV
Climate Change
How Trump Tried, but Largely Failed, to Derail America’s Top Climate Report, New York Times
Researchers unveil new method for converting carbon dioxide into jet fuel, Washington Post
Plans Show Larger Role for Nature in Fight Against Carbon, State House News Service
Study: Warming already baked in will blow past climate goals, AP News
U.S. Disaster Costs Doubled in 2020, Reflecting Costs of Climate Change, New York Times
New Bedford launches climate action plan for not just the city, but also residents, South Coast Today
Renewables/RGGI/TCI
Subsidies a Bone of Contention as Renewable Energy Producers Seek Federal Ruling, CT Examiner
Boston’s ready to join dozens of other municipalities in renewable-energy push, Boston Globe
The 10 Ways Renewable Energy’s Boom Year Will Shape 2021, Bloomberg Green
Can a city truly be 100% renewable? It’s complicated., Grist
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority touts renewable energy initiatives, Transportation Today
Wind
Mayflower Wind Electricity Users Stand to Save USD 500 Million, offshorewind.biz
Offshore wind developer wants to hear from N.J. recreational fishermen, app.com
As Rumors Swirl Of Large-Scale Turbine Farm, Fishermen Worry About Rapid Pace Of Wind Development, Maine Public
South Fork OWF Draft EIS Out, Offshorewind.biz
Solar
EGEB: A new community solar marketplace launches in the US, Electrek
Vermont public-private partnership turns unused corn silage land into 2.2-MW solar array, Solar Builder
Seeking to avoid Sununu veto, Republicans push narrow expansion of net metering for cities, Concord Monitor
Woolwich board approves 30-acre solar project, Press Herald
Efficiency/Storage
Gravity Energy Storage Will Show Its Potential in 2021, IEEE Spectrum
Vermont’s State House first in nation with battery backup power, Vermont Biz
Nuclear
First-in-the-nation tax on spent nuclear fuel aimed at helping Indian Point communities, lohud.com
New nuclear plant could rise at site of former one in NJ, AP News
In the New Mexico desert lies an answer to Indian Point’s nuclear waste problem, The Leader
Market/Grid/Policy/Prices
1st Circuit asked to stop hydropower corridor construction, Power Grid International
New England begins work on FERC Order 2222 compliance, but system impact is unclear, Utility Dive
PSE&G expected to bring smart meters to New Jersey, NJ Spotlight
President Biden’s Vision for the Power Sector, T&D World
Public Advocate Calls For Exempting Low-Income Mainers From Electricity Tax, Maine Public
Opinion
Baker is wrong to subsidize wood burning, CommonWealth Magazine
We Already Have the Key to a Clean Energy Economy. We’re Just Not Using It, Greentech Media
What Matters for Electrification?, Energy Institute at Haas
Climate science demands a halt to Killingly power plant, CT Mirror
Mass. Is Going On A Greenhouse Gas Diet. So Should Every Other State In The Northeast, WBUR
Northeast Energy News 