CMP Solar Problems | Unloved | So Long GTM
Happy Friday folks.
There was a ton of energy news this week and most was positive. We can’t highlight it all, but a few stories raised eyebrows and others made us sad.
Central Maine Power finds itself in the news again and this time over its solar policies:
Under pressure, CMP says it can do faster, cheaper solar hookups, Press Herald
Mills calls for investigation of CMP solar problems, Press Herald
CMP’s solar energy controversy prompts multiple state probes into Maine’s electric grid, Bangor Daily News
And from Connecticut As Finger-Pointing Over Unloved Gas Plant Continues, Who Really Gets To Call The Shots?, WNPR
This is story that makes us sad. GTM is a great news outlet that will surely be missed when it is shutdown in March, Greentech Media news group to be closed by oil, gas, energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, Energy Transition Now.
The Biden Administration’s love of EVs is causing this category of news to grow. We have several stories below that outline benefits and challenges. And if you’re in the market for an EV, check out this story from the Wall St. Journal. The New Electric Vehicles Now Hitting the Road. I have my eye on a Nissan Ariya – it will need to handle carrying kayaks, bicycles, and golf clubs though.
That’s the recap for this week. Enjoy the long weekend and stay safe!
MA Climate Bill
Spilka: Senate Taking Climate Amendments “Seriously,” State House News Service (subscriber content)
Baker takes more conciliatory tone on climate change bill, CommonWealth Magazine
Baker Sends Climate Bill Back With Amendments, State House News Service via WBUR
Amendments Weave Environmental Justice Into State’s Permitting, State House News Service
Lawmakers urged to reject changes to climate bill, Gloucester Times
Climate Change
NARUC, NASEO unveil 5 ‘blueprints’ to guide state energy planning on climate, other challenges, Utility Dive
How will McKee steer Rhode Island on environmental policy?, Boston Globe
There’s a Dirty Secret Behind Many Utility Climate Pledges, Greentech Media
Mass. Climate Change Undersecretary Resigns After Comments Come Under Fire, WBUR
Baker moves on quickly from Ismay, CommonWealth Magazine
Here’s how Elon Musk’s $100 million Xprize competition for carbon removal will work, TechCrunch
Panel: Tackle ocean acidity to save state’s shellfish, Gloucester Times
CT has big plans for tackling climate change. Now it has to make them happen., CT Mirror
Trump’s Environmental Policies Killed Thousands of People, Scientists Say, Bloomberg Green
Municipalities must now make climate change part of master-plan updates, NJ Spotlight
Renewables/RGGI/TCI
What Would It Take To Reach Biden’s Carbon-Free Electric Power Goal by 2035?, reason.com
Hydropower Jostles for Role in Global Green Recovery Programs, Greentech Media
Canada plans hydropower push as Biden looks to clean up U.S. grid, Reuters
Connecticut River dam debate shows that hydropower is more complex than just blocking a lot of water, Concord Monitor
Should biomass be considered a renewable energy source? The debate rumbles on, NS Energy
Wind
Floating Wind Turbines Buoy Hopes Of Expanding Renewable Energy, Wall St. Journal
The US offshore wind sector prepares for take-off., Lloyds Register
Mass. may go bigger in next offshore wind round, Fall River Herald News
Vestas Ups Stakes in Race for World’s Biggest Wind Turbine, Bloomberg Green
New training programme aids US businesses entry into offshore wind market, Renewable Energy Magazine
Wind developers eager for federal approvals for projects off Long Island, News Day
Before the wind turbine plant, a training academy to teach its workers, CBS 6 Albany
Solar
North Shore utilities partner again, this time on solar power, Salem News
National Grid seeks approval to expand access to solar energy for low-income customers, WWLP
Clean Energy, Lower Bills Are Stars of Croton’s New Solar System, River Journal
Under pressure, CMP says it can do faster, cheaper solar hookups, Press Herald
Mills calls for investigation of CMP solar problems, Press Herald
CMP’s solar energy controversy prompts multiple state probes into Maine’s electric grid, Bangor Daily News
Green Lantern completes sixth solar array for Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort, Solar Power World
Efficiency/Storage
Plus Power Breaks Open Market for Massive Batteries in New England, Greentech Media
DOE lab aims to answer the ‘big questions’ about storage and help dramatically increase deployment, Utility Dive
How US Grid Operators Plan To Tackle Energy Storage at Gigawatt Scale, Greentech Media
Charging Forward: Burlington’s Building Electrification Effort Hits the Ballot, Seven Days
GMP announces extra savings on heat pumps for low- and moderate-income customers, VT Digger
EVs
The New Electric Vehicles Now Hitting the Road, Wall St. Journal
Electric vehicles could be ‘imperfect substitutes’ for gas-powered cars, new study suggests, Utility Dive
Auto industry peers into an electric future and sees bumps ahead, Washington Post
Carmakers in US to spend $250B on electrification by 2023, push for national standard, group says, Utility Dive
Ford doubles electric vehicle investment to $22 billion through 2025, Electrek
E.V.s Force Carmakers to Reinvent the Wheel, and Brakes, and Mirrors, New York Times
Ford boosts investment plan for EVs and self driving vehicles, reports loss, Reuters
EV Company With Almost No Revenue Posts 3,000% Gain in 8 Months, Bloomberg
Study reveals EV secret: They are driven less than gas cars, E&E News
Middletown first in CT to have all-electric school bus, Middletown Press
Nuclear
Sea-level rise could threaten coastal nuclear waste facilities, Yale Climate Connections
Mini Nuclear Reactors Offer Promise Of Cheaper, Clean Power, Wall St. Journal
Is Nuclear Power Poised for a Resurgence?, Power Magazine
Natural Gas/Pipelines/Oil/Drilling
Environmental Groups Sue Federal Regulators Over Western Mass. Pipeline Plan, WBUR
Glick sees consensus on FERC considering climate, environmental justice in siting gas infrastructure, Utility Dive
Weymouth Mayor Hopes To Take Down Incinerator Plant With Compressor Station Money, Patch.com
As Finger-Pointing Over Unloved Gas Plant Continues, Who Really Gets To Call The Shots?, WNPR
Democrats Split Over Proposed Moratorium on Fossil Fuel Plants in Connecticut, CT Mirror
C-Zero Raises $11.5M to Scale Up ‘Turquoise Hydrogen’ Technology, Greentech Media
Burning fossil fuels kills an estimated 350,000 Americans a year, including 7,600 in Massachusetts, study finds, Boston Globe
Shell’s Falling Oil Output Ends Century-Long Business Model, Bloomberg
Market/Grid/Policy/Prices
New Tech, Gadgets Helping Balance Renewable Energy Resources in Today’s Electrical Grid, Microgrid Knowledge
Grid operators to request extension on FERC Order 2222 compliance, regulator cites ‘short’ timeline, Utility Dive
Company trying to purchase Hampden plant eventually wants to mix trash with sewage sludge, Bangor Daily News
Town, state officials resist RMLD’s biomass power deal, Daily News
Eversource Operating in the New Reality of a Pandemic, Utility Products
Burlington enters Phase 3 in creating district energy system, Vermont Biz
Controversial power line caught up in high-stakes power struggle, Press Herald
CMP raises 1st pole as construction on contested $1B corridor begins, Bangor Daily News
Electric sector can learn from the Florida water utility hack, say experts, Utility Dive
When power most needed, ‘peaker’ polluters fire up in Berkshires. Should that continue,? Berkshire Eagle
SolarWinds security to-do list post hack, Utility Dive
Grid operators to request extension on FERC Order 2222 compliance, regulator cites ‘short’ timeline, Utility Dive
Rockland energy broker accused of fleecing customers in $100M lawsuit, Westfair Online
Many NJ customers fall way behind on utility bills. State urged to extend moratorium on shutoffs, NJ Spotlight
Raimondo appoints former RI Senate majority leader Revens to PUC, ProJo
Greentech Media news group to be closed by oil, gas, energy research firm Wood Mackenzie, Energy Transition Now
Opinion
The Big Picture Of Wind Power – Editorial, Falmouth Enterprise
Will developers block clean energy standards?, CommonWealth Magazine
Cleaning up the power grid requires a federal-state partnership, Utility Dive
Commentary: Maine needs CMP to be a partner to clean energy, not an obstacle, CentralMaine.com
Developing floating offshore wind can help protect Maine’s seafaring culture, marine environment, Penobscot Bay Pilot
Campbell Andersen: Why we need climate resolutions in 2021, Vermont Biz
Commentary: Floating offshore wind is a new industry by Maine, for Maine, MaineBiz
Oversight of wind energy and fisheries should calm overblown fears, Press of Atlantic City
Northeast Energy News 