Weekly Energy News 12.16.16
Happy bone-chilling Friday! This week’s energy news brings a union of Eversource and DONG Energy on the Bay State Wind offshore wind project (CommonWealth Magazine). Within what seems seconds of the announcement, the opinions were already rolling in, including Cynthia Arcate who suggests the deal should “send shivers up the spine” (CommonWealth Magazine).
At last week’s Roundtable Jesse Jenkins of MIT mentioned a new report titled, “The Utility of the Future” was due for release this week and right he was. Robert C. Armstrong, MITEI’s director and the Chevron Professor in Chemical Engineering at MIT said of the report, “Our study does not try to predict the future or prescribe which technologies should prevail; instead, it provides a toolkit for businesses, policymakers, and regulators to navigate the unfolding changes in the system and develop a more robust, efficient system for the future.” (MIT news)
One other highlight from this week is a Boston Business Journal article which looks at Massachusetts’ clean energy sector and reports the industry has grown to over 100,000 jobs.
Natural Gas/Pipeline
Sen. Warren wants pipeline halt, Wicked Local Dedham
R.I. Tribe Opposes Power Plant and LNG Projects, EcoRI
EPA reverses course on fracking safety, The Hill
A town unites in a battle against a gas compressor station, The Boston Globe
With Gas Pipeline Projects Blocked, State Searching for an Energy Plan, Hartford Courant
Spectra station fuels fears of fishery setback in Braintree, Wicked Local Weymouth
Google car helps PSE&G target leaky gas pipes, NorthJersey.com
The oil and gas industry is quickly amassing power in Trump’s Washington, Washington Post
Invenergy Making Deal With Woonsocket for Water, EcoRI.org
Renewable Energy
Dong finds Bay State partner, renews
Clean energy jobs top 100,000 for first time in Mass., according new report, Boston Business Journal
Haverhill School Committee snuffs out Tilton solar project, Eagle Tribune
DONG, Eversource form Bay State Wind, CommonWealth Magazine
The Solar Industry Has Paid Off Its Carbon Debts, The Atlantic
Fossil fuels meet renewables: VT gas station goes solar, BurlingtonFreePress.com
America’s first offshore wind farm is up and running, CNBC
Senate President Stan Rosenberg says energy and climate change to remain on Beacon Hill front burner, MassLive
Environmental Panel Seeking To Protect Forests, Farmland From Solar Energy Projects, Hartford Courant
For solar and wind energy projects, a new lease on land, PRI
The US solar industry is booming — and it isn’t afraid of Trump, Washington Post
Federal appeals court lifts injunction on New England renewables RFP in Allco case, Utility DIVE
State regulators approve Antrim wind farm, Penn Energy
Energy Efficiency
RGGI Carbon Auction Prices Drop 22%, RTO Insider
Maine nets $1.8 million in latest RGGI auction, Mainebiz
Energy Efficiency Jobs: Nearly 1.9 Million and Growing, Natural Resources Defense Council
A Powerful Investment: Clean Energy Financing in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, The Equation: Blog of the Union of Concerned Scientists
Low Fuel Costs Hurting Environmental Efforts, CT News Junkie
Does Connecticut’s Green Bank Hold the Secret to the Future of Clean Energy?, Inside Climate News
Town leads by example, Woburn Daily Times
Harvard reaches goal of cutting gas emissions by 30 percent, Penn Energy
Nuclear
Trump Team’s Asking for Ways to Keep Nuclear Power Alive, Bloomberg
Dunne suggests data center would be good fit at Vermont Yankee site, Times Argus
Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.
MIT Energy Initiative report provides guidance for evolving electric power sector, MIT News
Unprecedented Arctic warmth in 2016 triggers massive decline in sea ice, snow, PHYS.org
DOE issuing permit for New England transmission project in Vermont, Electric Light & Power
Energy landscape undergoes major changes, SouthCoastToday.com
Winter electricity supply should be adequate, ISO says, Journal Inquirer
Eye On Weather: Adaptation Critical As Climate Continues Changing, CBS Local
Ambri Returns to the Energy Storage Hunt With Liquid Metal Battery Redesign, Greentech Media
Boston Calls for Microgrid Development as a Climate Strategy, Microgrid Knowledge
GMP Opts Out Of Controversial ‘Alternative Regulation’ System, VPR
Editorial/Opinion
Eversource finds a loophole, CommonWealth Magazine
The promise of the nation’s first offshore wind farm, The Boston Globe
Pilgrim employees work hard to keep it safe, Cape Cod Times
Winter reliability efforts go only so far, CommonWealth Magazine
Why CT Needs Expanded Gas Pipelines, Hartford Courant
OUR OPINION: The long view on offshore wind, The Patriot Ledger
Letter: Blocking Spectra Energy’s ‘Access Northeast Project’, Worcester Telegram
Opinion: Vt. Yankee still supports community, BurlingtonFreePress.com
Editorial: How to fight power plant construction, Concord Monitor
The clean energy economy is now, Seacoastonline.com
Northeast Energy News 