Tag Archives: Entergy

January 11, 2019 · 4:41 pm

Energy News for week ending January 11, 2019

Russians Hacking, Emissions Spiking, Oceans Warming, Oh My!

It’s Friday afternoon so that’s a good thing, but some of the energy news headlines this week were darn depressing.

Take these six stories for example:

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions spiked in 2018 — and it couldn’t happen at a worse time, Washington Post

Ocean Warming Is Accelerating Faster Than Thought, New Research Finds, New York Times

America’s Electric Grid Has a Vulnerable Back Door—and Russia Walked Through It, Wall Street Journal

US power sector carbon emissions jump as gas boom outpaces coal decline, Utility Dive

2018 was Earth’s fourth-warmest year, EU scientists find, Axios

Mass. Families face home heating emergency, $30 million sought, WickedLocal.com

Ugh! And if that’s not enough to make you want to crawl under the covers, the government shutdown is causing headaches everywhere (and horrible times for government workers), but here in New England it’s also slowing things down:

Gas investigation on hold amid shutdown, Eagle Tribune

Government shutdown delays Vineyard Wind meetings, South Coast Today

Jon Chesto at the Globe brings us a positive story so we’ll end our recap here Wind turbine company picks Boston for US HQ, Boston Globe.

Enjoy the weekend and stay warm – very cold temperatures are expected.

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

Special Report: Gas leaks plague Bay State, Boston Herald

After setbacks, Weymouth compressor foes turn focus to Baker, Patriot Ledger

South Shore lawmakers urge Baker to reject natural gas station air permits, Boston Globe

Lawmaker looks to ban offshore drilling, Gloucester Times

Weymouth gas project advances, but fight’s not over yet, Boston Globe

Fossil generators ask Supreme Court to review state nuclear subsidies, Utility Dive

Ensuring fuel security for the electricity system: New England and the role of LNG, Utility Dive

Wind vs. Gas: Winter Wind Beats New Pipelines, Union of Concerned Scientists

Lockout finally over at National Grid, CommonWealth Magazine

Challenges Remain For National Grid, Union Workers Even With Contract, WBUR

National Grid union workers OK contract, ending lockout, Boston Globe

Merrimack Valley

Columbia Gas Offers Payment Plans For Merrimack Valley Gas Bills, USA Patch

Lawmakers push for safer gas practices, Salem News

Warren, Markey call for Columbia Gas to repair damaged roads, Boston Globe

Gas investigation on hold amid shutdown, Eagle Tribune

Charlie Baker tours Merrimack Valley to promote businesses affected by gas explosions, Boston Globe

Lawrence mayor wants Columbia Gas license revoked, Lowell Sun

Renewables/Climate Change/RGGI

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions spiked in 2018 — and it couldn’t happen at a worse time, Washington Post

Ocean Warming Is Accelerating Faster Than Thought, New Research Finds, New York Times

Warning Of Flooded Cities, Spilka Puts Climate Change Atop To-Do List, WGBH.org

US power sector carbon emissions jump as gas boom outpaces coal decline, Utility Dive

2018 was Earth’s fourth-warmest year, EU scientists find, Axios

The National Weather Service is ‘open,’ but your forecast is worse because of the shutdown, Washington Post

Ramping up renewable energy remains lawmakers’ focus in 2019, The Day

Pennsylvania commits to 26% GHG reductions amid federal inaction, US emissions increase, Utility Dive

Vagaries Of the Energy Market: A Boom In Renewables Leads To Higher Rates For Co-op, VPR Digital

Mass. Inaugurates Clean Peak Standard, RTO Insider

Wind

Wind turbine company picks Boston for US HQ, Boston Globe

Sununu Will Ask for Federal Offshore Wind Study, A First Step To Development, NHPR

Government shutdown delays Vineyard Wind meetings, South Coast Today

Public hearings set on Roxbury Wind Project, National Wind Watch (Maine)

Busy month ahead for Alle-Catt Wind Farm issues, Olean Times Herald

A key approval for the $2-billion off-shore project is set for Jan. 22, NewportRI.com

R.I. fishermen still without compensation deal from wind farm developer, ProJo

Court: Refund Swanton Wind developers, St. Albans Messenger

Rhode Island harvesters, wind farm developer still talking compensation, Undercurrent News

New Jersey receives three bids in largest state wind energy solicitation to date, Daily Energy Insider

Under New Management, New London Pier Looks To Capitalize On Offshore Wind, WNPR

Solar

Maine Mall 2,340-panel solar array poised to go online, Mainebiz

How Can You Take a Stand on Energy at the Local Level? Lebanon Has an Idea, New Hampshire Public Radio

Tax exemption could cut towns statewide from solar-farm revenue, Telegram.com

Energy Efficiency/Storage

Energy efficiency info may be coming to Mass. residential home listings, Boston Business Journal (subscriber content)

Energy Storage Developers See Promise in Second Phase of Innovative New Hampshire Pilot, Microgrid Knowledge

California set a goal of 100% clean energy, and now other states may follow its lead, Los Angeles Times

Three Big Energy Ideas to Watch in 2019, Microgrid Knowledge

EVs

Before the Electric Car Takes Over, Someone Needs to Reinvent the Battery, Bloomberg

Boston transit authority adds to electric bus fleet, Utility Dive

Nuclear

Closed Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant Sale Complete, NHPR

U.S. to Bill Gates: Build your scrapped China nuclear reactor in America, Axios

Energy Department Initiative Aims to Keep U.S. Competitive on Nuclear-Plant Fuel, Wall Street Journal

Pilgrim Nuke Plant Back at Full Power, CapeCod.com

NRC public meeting Jan. 15 for comments on Pilgrim decommissioning, Wicked Local Plymouth

New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution to join Vermont Yankee nuclear storage conference, VTDigger

Full scholarships offered for nuclear program at Three Rivers, The Day

Experts: Nuclear power production in country just 3%, The Tribune

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

America’s Electric Grid Has a Vulnerable Back Door—and Russia Walked Through It, Wall Street Journal

New England Power Grid Operators Train For Severe Nor’Easters, New Hampshire Public Radio

Wholesale power prices were generally higher in 2018, with both winter and summer spikes, eia.gov

Regulators decide to open full investigation into CMP billing issues, Portland Press Herald

Regulators consider plan to get rebates for some electric customers, Record-Journal

Confidence Grows that Proposed Burrillville Power Plant will be Denied, ECO RI

Invenergy analyst says Burrillville plant would supplement renewables, Providence Journal

Braintree Light hopes to retire generator, Patriot Ledger

Mass. Families face home heating emergency, $30 million sought, WickedLocal.com

Activists, lawmakers rally for heating help for low-income families, WBSM.com

Data: Maine Had Longer, More Frequent Power Outages Per Customer Than Any Other State In 2017, Maine Public

Editorial/Opinion

Ensuring fuel security for the electricity system: New England and the role of LNG, Utility Dive

Electricity aggregation success extends beyond Newton, CommonWealth Magazine

Viewpoint: Solar power, storage poised to protect Mass. businesses this winter, Boston Business Journal

Letter to the editor: Efficiency Maine Trust a burden to needy electricity customers, Portland Press Herald

Thinking globally, but acting warily, on new gas pipelines, Boston Globe

Letter to the editor: Good to hear real story on gas companies, New Haven Register

Editorial: Industry must be part of transit carbon cap policy, Boston Business Journal

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, Vermont Yankee Closing

Tagged as Columbia Gas of MA, Entergy, natural gas, Pilgrim, Rhode Island, solar, Vermont Yankee

December 7, 2018 · 4:04 pm

Energy News for week ending December 7, 2018

We are in Trouble | Transfer Approved | Plenty of Capacity

TGIF! Let’s get to it.

From the Washington Post, “Global emissions of carbon dioxide are reaching the highest levels on record, scientists projected Wednesday, in the latest evidence of the chasm between international goals for combating climate change and what countries are doing. Between 2014 and 2016, emissions remained largely flat, leading to hopes that the world was beginning to turn a corner. Those hopes appear to have been dashed. In 2017, global emissions grew 1.6 percent. The rise in 2018 is projected to be 2.7 percent…’We are in trouble. We are in deep trouble with climate change,’ United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said this week at the opening of the 24th annual U.N. climate conference, where countries will wrestle with the ambitious goals they need to meet to sharply reduce carbon emissions in the coming years.”

Some good news in what’s expected to be a trend with nuclear plants across the country, VPR reports, “State utility regulators have approved the transfer of the closed Vermont Yankee nuclear plant to NorthStar, a demolition company that has has (sic) committed to decommissioning the plant decades earlier than previously planned. The Vermont Public Utility Commission said a main benefit of NorthStar’s plan was that decommissioning will begin no later than 2021. The current owner of the Vernon plant, the Entergy Corporation, had planned to delay cleanup of the site until at least 2053.”

Last news highlight for this week comes from the north of the border. The Portland Press Herald reports, “Hydro-Quebec officials say opponents of a transmission line through western Maine are wrong when they say the company’s plan to send hydropower to Massachusetts won’t provide abundant clean energy to New England…The utility’s officials said Thursday that the company has enough capacity to ensure that the electricity sent south is clean and produced with none of the carbon emissions blamed for global warming. “We have excess (hydropower) energy in Quebec that we can’t get out,” Serge Abergel, director of public affairs for Hydro-Quebec, told the editorial board of the Portland Press Herald…But Dylan Voorhees, clean energy director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine, disputed Abergel’s claims. He’s concerned that Hydro-Quebec could engage in a practice called greenwashing, in which a utility buys power from highly polluting generators such as coal plants when that electricity is cheap, then uses it to fulfill their own contracts rather than using their own clean hydropower. That would negate the environmental advantages of transmitting hydropower to Massachusetts.”

That’s it for this afternoon. Have a great weekend and we’ll be back in your inboxes next Friday.

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

Berkshire Gas agrees to half its proposed rate hike, Berkshire Gas

Changing fuel prices impact household heating market, Connecticut Post

Portland Xpress pipeline project gets FERC environmental OK, Seeking Alpha

Berkshire Gas moratoriums in Franklin and Hampshire counties to continue indefinitely, MassLive

Algonquin Power to buy Enbridge Gas New Brunswick for C$331M, Seeking Alpha

Environmentalists slam Murphy for inaction on pipelines, NJtoday.com

Coal Is On The Way Out — Natural Gas Is Next, CleanTechnica

Lock Out

House, in informal session, passes Grid legislation, CommonWealth Magazine

Emotions high at National Grid lockout hearing, Lowell Sun

National Grid takes pounding on Beacon Hill, CommonWealth Magazine

Merrimack Valley

Columbia Gas targeting last few hundred customers in Lawrence area still without service, Boston Globe

Politicians call for gas execs to resign after disaster, Western Mass News

Columbia Gas-Repaired Furnace Sends Family To Emergency Room, USA Patch

‘I Don’t Feel Safe’: Lawrence Woman Injured by Stove Issued After Merrimack Valley Gas Explosions, NECN

With more plumbers, could Lawrence have seen faster gas service?, Boston Globe

Renewables/Climate Change/RGGI

‘We are in trouble.’ Global carbon emissions reached a record high in 2018., Washington Post

Environment: Hot, dry summers have killed trees covering nearly 50,000 forest acres, Providence Journal

On Senate Floor: Shaheen Underscores Impact of Climate Change on Granite State Environment, Wildlife & Economy, NHLaborNews.com

The Energy 202: Carbon emissions were flat only two years ago. Not anymore., Washington Post

Connecticut Preps for Weather Extremes, Flooding Highlighted in Climate Report, Government Technology

How Climate Change Is Already Affecting Infrastructure In N.H., New Hampshire Pubic Radio

Climate change already reshaping South Shore coastline, Patriot Ledger

Wind

Biologist’s goal: wind turbines that kill fewer bats and birds, Boston Globe

NJ Begins Strategic Planning for Murphy’s Offshore-Wind Goals, NJ Spotlight

Feds Gathering Public Input on Vineyard Wind Environmental Impact Report, CapeCod.com

Aroostook wind power backers see opportunity if western Maine transmission line fails, The County

State reviewing application for wind farm in Hancock County, National Wind Watch

Vineyard Wind draft report released, Energy Central

Wind Farm Near Martha’s Vineyard In Jeopardy, The Independent

Solar

Governor pushes for solar in low-income areas, New Hampshire Union Leader

Consortium turning former brownfields into solar farms, Westerly Sun

Brushy Brook solar hearing concludes; decision in January, Westerly Sun

Watertown passes new solar requirement, Wicked Local Watertown

Salem Receives Award For Solar Efforts, USA Patch

Energy Efficiency/Storage

Harvard Reveals Its Ultra-Energy-Efficient Center for Green Buildings and Cities, Architectural Record

Westwood’s Thomas Philbin Among “Leading By Example” Recipients, USA Patch

Eversource and Wesleyan University Announce New Energy Efficiency Partnership, NA Clean Energy

U.S. energy storage storm grows in strength, pv magazine international

What Long Duration Energy Storage Is & Why It Kills Coal, CleanTechnica

‘Sun in a box’ would store renewable energy for the grid, TechXplore.com

EVs

1M EVs in the US ‘a step in our journey’ to combat climate change, Utility Dive

Trump administration says it will end electric car tax credit in the strangest way, Electrek

America’s Power Grid Isn’t Ready for Electric Cars, CityLab.com

Nuclear

Vermont Yankee Transfer Approved, NorthStar Will Decommission Plant, VPR

PURA maintains “at risk” status for Millstone, Hartford Business Journal

Pennsylvania State Lawmakers Call to End the ‘Epidemic’ of Nuclear Power Plant Closures, Greentech Media

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

Clean energy technologies threaten to overwhelm the grid. Here’s how it can adapt., Vox.com

Canadian hydropower supplier says it has plenty of capacity for N.E., Portland Press Herald

CMP Says It Won’t Pass Costs to Customers for Billing Snafu, U.S. News & World Report

Cape Light Compact Announces Winter Electric Pricing, Cape Cod

Policymaker of the Year: Kevin McIntyre, FERC, Utility Dive

Seacoast Reliability Project continues to clear hurdles, Seacoastonline.com

CMP power line supporters make their case to Somerset County commissioners, Kennebec Journal

Connecticut standard electric rates to jump $12 to $16, Westport News

Eversource Energy reaches new contract with two Connecticut unions, New Haven Register

Reinventing the power grid in coastal Maine – well, sort of, Concord Monitor

FERC vacancy allows Democrats to win rare battle over ISO-NE market rules, Utility Dive

Non-Wires Alternatives: How Much, How Soon for Connecticut?, Microgrid Knowledge

My Car, Your Home, a Microgrid and the Future, Microgrid Knowledge

Editorial/Opinion

Hassan bears down: Good points on gas explosion, New Hampshire Union Leader

Columnist Marty Nathan: Climate change demands straight talk, Daily Hampshire Gazette

OP-ED: Nautilus would put NJ at forefront of offshore wind industry, NJBIZ

Eversource project endangers children, the environment, Seacoastonline.com

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, hydro, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, nuclear, offshore wind, Vermont Yankee Closing

Tagged as Columbia Gas of MA, electric rates, Entergy, Eversource, Hydro Quebec, National Grid, offshore wind, solar, Vermont Yankee

May 5, 2017 · 3:07 pm

Energy News for week ending May 5, 2017

Good Friday afternoon.

This week’s energy news brings us more of the ongoing debate about natural gas pipelines. According to the Berkshire Eagle, 18 of about 50 protesters were arrested in Sandisfield, MA at the Otis State Forest. They are opposed to the FERC-approved Connecticut Expansion Project that adds 4 miles of new underground pipeline in Massachusetts. The State Police noted they wanted to be arrested.

On the flip side, another regional utility has sounded the alarm that new gas resources are needed. According to Utility DIVE, Unitil’s CEO and President Robert Schoenberger said during an earning’s call that the region, “cannot afford to allow all the shale gas to be going someplace else as opposed to taking advantage of it.”

One last note on natural gas, MarketWatch reports that the Energy Information Administration showed that domestic supplies of natural gas rose by 67 billion cubic feet for the week ended April 28 and that June natural gas fell 3.2 cents, or 1%, from Wednesday’s settlement.

On the renewables side, CommonWealth Magazine reports that this past Monday Massachusetts utilities set in motion a first-of-its-kind procurement for 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind power. They asked Massachusetts regulators to approve a bid process that gives companies some flexibility in setting the size of their projects while requiring them to price out two very different approaches to delivering the electricity to the mainland. Further, the RFP also raises the possibility that Massachusetts could invite a Rhode Island utility and the state of Connecticut to participate in the solicitation.

Have a great weekend.

Natural Gas/Pipeline

18 pipeline protesters arrested after blocking access to Otis State Forest, Berkshire Eagle

Unitil latest to sound alarm over Northeast pipeline capacity, Utility DIVE

Committee Kills Fracking Bill, Freepress Online

Weymouth urges DEP to deny air permit for Algonguin, Wicked Local Weymouth

Group opposing gas pipeline in Shrewsbury seeking public support, Wicked Local Shrewsbury

One year after Pa. quakes, geologists claim fracking is to blame, WYTV

Study: Oil companies should reuse wastewater produced by fracking, HPPR

Tenn. Gas Pipeline responds to protester arrests, The Recorder

Natural-gas prices extend declines on bigger-than-expected rise in U.S. supplies, MarketWatch

FERC still silent as Otis State Forest tree cutting begins for pipeline, but questions remain, Berkshire Eagle

Renewable Energy

Utilities unveil RFP for offshore wind power, CommonWealth magazine

First U.S. Offshore Wind Farm Shutters Diesel Power Plant, Climate Central

America’s First Offshore Wind Energy Makes Landfall in Rhode Island, Inside Climate News

Delaware weighs joining RGGI states in deeper emissions cuts, Delaware First Media

Corps of Engineers Proposes to Lease Government Land in Bourne to Construct Solar Energy Project: Public Meeting Set for May 23 in Sandwich, Energy Central

Deer Island’s odd-looking turbine is a testament to failure, Boston Globe

Sen. Lynch Prata’s statewide municipal solar permit bill passes Senate, Warwick Post

Solar power advocates take fight over credits to Maine’s top court, Bangor Daily News

Talks Continue On Offshore Wind Project, WABI

Danish offshore wind firm Dong Energy opens Boston headquarters at One International Place, MassLive.com

SouthCoast leaders begin UK wind energy visit, SouthCoastToday.com

GRID Alternatives, Connecticut Green Bank Kick Off Low-Income Solar Program, Solar Industry

The US is using so much solar power that it will have to prepare for the August eclipse, Quartz

The SEC is reportedly investigating Tesla’s solar business, Business Insider

Energy Efficiency

Coal is Big. Solar’s Bigger. But Energy Efficiency is the Biggest, Energy Collective

Mass Save rebates offer big savings for energy efficiency, wwlp.com

New lights, HVAC save Greenwich Boys, Girls Club $3400 a month, Greenwich Time

Vermont ranks No. 2 in US for renewable energy, BurlingtonFreePress.com

Maine AG Mills joins fight against Trump environmental proposals, Bangor Daily News

Efficiency Vermont earns award for Sustained Excellence in Energy Efficiency Program Delivery, Vermont Biz

Storage

Using sulfur to store solar energy, Phys.Org

Startup Voltus Unstealths With 400 Megawatts of Demand Response, Greentech Media

GMP ranked high for energy storage, Mountaintimes

Nuclear

Host town backs Vermont Yankee sale, Brattleboro Reformer

Refueling at New Hampshire’s Seabrook-1 reactor ends: NextEra, Platts

Millstone bill headed to Senate, but legislators divided, Journal Inquirer

Legacy of Seabrook nuclear protest debated, The Boston Globe

Plymouth: Pilgrim Decommissioning Panel Established, 95.9 WATD-FM

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

EPA Asks What Rules to Cut, Gets Earful About Dirty Water, New York Times

Is NH getting hoodwinked on health and safety by Northern Pass?, NH1 News

Eversource tentatively agrees to move cormorant-friendly lines, Cape Cod Times

Slight Rate Increase Coming for Eversource Customers, NBC Connecticut

Northern Pass officials describe Plymouth impacts, The Union Leader

Northern Pass exec: Project would tap NH construction businesses, The Union Leader

Gov. Raimondo Not Joining Opposition to Power Plant, ecoRI news

FERC seeks new directions at intersection of state policy, wholesale markets, Daily Energy Insider

FERC hears an earful about grid tensions in eastern RTOs, E&E News

Green Mountain Power seeks 5 percent rate increase, PennEnergy

US Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey push bill to ban offshore drilling in Atlantic Ocean, MassLive

Editorial/Opinion

Energy-saving programs that help Earth and economy need defending, Press Herald

To the editor: Pipelines under pressure in Massachusetts, Worcester Sun

Pols should back renewable energy, Lowell Sun

Mary Sullivan: Carbon pricing plan is needed, vtdigger.org

Want to protect the climate? Time for carbon pricing, Boston Globe

Leave a comment

Filed under Natural Gas Pipelines, offshore wind, Renewables, Vermont Yankee Closing

Tagged as energy storage, Entergy, Eversource, natural gas, Northern Pass, nuclear, solar

February 17, 2017 · 2:21 pm

Energy News for week ending February 17, 2017

Happy Friday. This week’s energy news brings us more response to a pipeline study released last week that claims the Access Northeast pipeline will cost twice what proponents claim. According to MassLive, Eversource Energy called the report “a disservice to communities.”

During last week’s ISO-NE energy auction Invenergy’s proposed Burrillville, RI gas plant only managed to sell half its expected capacity. EcoRI reports that Jerry Elmer of the Conservation Law Foundation, said, “the lack of demand for the electricity shows there is more than enough power generation to meet future energy needs and, thus, the proposed Clear River Energy Center is unnecessary and shouldn’t be built.”

But natural gas advocates, should not dismay! The American Gas Association released its 2017 playbook touting all of the benefits that natural gas brings to the US. Specifically, the playbook offers a concise, fact-based narrative detailing how the industry and utilities are helping increase our energy security, improving our environment and boosting our economy.

Lastly, on the gas front, WGBH talks with Governor Baker about how much he can or can’t influence the Weymouth gas compressor station. His response, “In the end, these decisions get made by the federal government.”

In other news, Maine is starting to look like Washington; or is it that Washington is starting to look like Maine? Regardless, the Sun Journal tells us that Gov. LePage is telling utility commissioners to resign over “their absolutely horrendous decision” that rolled back net metering but didn’t eliminate it. And the Bangor Daily News reports he seeks to replace at least one of them with a solar energy critic.

New Hampshire also has its fair share of renewable critics. Utility DIVE reports on legislation that would remove the state from RGGI and repeal the renewables mandate.

Speaking of renewables mandates, MassLive reports that more than 50 Massachusetts lawmakers have signed on to a bill that would require Massachusetts to get all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2035. All of its heating, transportation and other sectors would have to be powered by renewable energy by 2050. No word yet on the cost, but we can look to Vermont where the Energy Collective said a study released this week found its 90 percent renewables mandate would cost $33 billion by 2050. They did the math and found if the US were to adopt Vermont’s 90% RE goal, the capital cost would be $17,316 billion, which is in the same ballpark as the US national debt. Ouch.

There is much more news below. Have a great weekend.

Natural Gas/Pipeline

Can Gov. Baker Actually Block A Controversial Gas Compressor?, WGBH.org

Is NED pipeline back on the table?, Nashua Telegraph (pay wall)

AGA Releases 2017 Playbook, True Blue Natural Gas

Eversource and activists at odds over latest New England pipeline study, MassLive.com

New report questions need, cost of Access Northeast gas pipeline project, Utility Dive

Reports Conflict on Need for New Gas Power Plant, ecoRI news

Air battle looms over proposed Weymouth compressor station, Wicked Local Weymouth

Pope appears to back native tribes in Dakota Pipeline conflict, Reuters

Company Behind DAPL Reported 69 Accidents, Polluting Rivers in 4 States in Last Two Years, EcoWatch

Fracking Rule Text Disappears From Interior Department Website, EcoWatch

Vt. Gas Takes Financial Hit, Pipeline Protests Continue, Middlebury Campus

Germany largely bans fracking with new laws, Deutsche Welle

Refugio pipeline explosion shakes homes 60 miles away, KHOU.com

Renewable Energy

New Hampshire bills would withdraw state from RGGI, repeal renewables mandate, Utility Dive

Vermont’s 90% Renewable Energy Goal to Cost $33 Billion by 2050, Energy Collective

Wind Power Now Generates More Than 10 Percent of Electricity for 13 States, Power Engineering

State incentives in the offing as more companies, communities adopt solar power, MassLive.com

LePage eyes replacing utilities commissioner with solar energy critic, Bangor Daily News

Gov. Paul LePage urges Maine utility regulators to resign over solar decision, Lewiston Sun Journal

Here’s an early look at how Maine’s biomass bailout money is being spent, Bangor Daily News

Fight over renewable energy comes to New Hampshire, Penn Energy

Trump urged to back offshore, reNews

Vineyard Power vying for offshore wind farm, Cape Cod Times

Deepwater Wind opens Massachusetts office in New Bedford, SouthCoastToday.com

Solar and wind energy propel growth in US renewables, Nature.com

Victory: These Two Cities Just Committed to 100% Renewable Energy, EcoWatch

Environmentalists push for 100% renewable energy use in Massachusetts, MassLive.com

Wind turbines inspired by insect wings are 35% more efficient, Science Magazine

US Solar Surged 95% to Become Largest Source of New Energy, Bloomberg

UPS Announces $18 Million Investment In Onsite Solar Energy, 5x Onsite Solar Growth, CleanTechnica

Governor’s letter to Trump — Support solar and wind energy, Digital Journal

Companies Collaborates with Beaumont Solar on New 680,305 sq ft LEED Certified Headquarters, Incorporating a 2.2 Megawatt Solar System, Energy Central

The crisis at Oroville Dam, explained, Vox.com

Energy Efficiency

Portman-Shaheen Energy Efficiency Bill Reintroduced in Senate, Lexology

Report: HI, CT, MA, RI, and AK Households Save Most On Overall Utility Bills Due To Appliance Standards, (Press Release), Appliance Standards Awareness Project

Carbon-Cutting Success Stories, (Report) Environment Maine

Massachusetts Green Communities Program Continues to Grow, Energy Manager Today

An Energy Storage Target for Massachusetts: Go Bigger, Bellwether?, Microgrid Knowledge

Vermont Churches Awarded Grants for Energy Audits, vtdigger.org

National Grid launches its first commercial & industrial demand response program, Utility DIVE

Nuclear

Entergy Addresses Critical Report (video), ‘The Take’ NECN

Connecticut lawmakers again asked to consider nuclear energy, New Haven Register

Federal application filed for Vermont Yankee sale, vtdigger.org

Pilgrim nuclear power plant back online after shutdown, The Boston Globe

Public hearings planned on proposed Vermont Yankee sale, The Keene Sentinel

NRC starts comment clock on Seabrook amendment to rent extension, The Daily News of Newburyport

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

Rules to cut carbon emissions in Mass. may increase them in New England, critics say, Boston Globe

New review is critical of Northern Pass project, The Union Leader

Massachusetts Plans to Identify Microgrid Opportunities Statewide, Microgrid Knowledge

Prices plummet in ISO-NE capacity auction, raising questions about new generation plans, Utility Dive

Expanded Use Of EVs in CT, MA, MD, NY & PA Could Yield “Multi-Billions” in Savings and Benefits, CleanTechnica

Plymouth triangle lot could produce new revenue (underwater cables), Wicked Local Plymouth

Utilidata, National Grid announce Volt/VAR optimization project, Electric Light & Power

Energy executives, secretive nonprofit raise money to back Pruitt, Politico

Citing ownership change, Brockton Power asks for six-month permit extension, Enterprise

Brady to state board: Deny Brockton Power 4th extension after it sat out auction, Enterprise

Editorial/Opinion

Power Precursor, New Hampshire Magazine

Reviving the Keystone Pipeline is one of Trump’s foolish acts, Ricentral.com

Eversource solar hikes unwarranted, CommonWealth Magazine

Commentary: PUC’s mishandling of solar rules will hurt industry, utilities and ratepayers, Press Herald

Letter to the editor: SMCC is all talk, no action on renewable energy future, Press Herald

Markey, Kennedy Statement on Results of New England Electricity Capacity Auction #11, Energy Central

Ronald C. DeCurzio: Massachusetts municipal utilities doing their part to reach clean energy milestones, MassLive

Letter to the Editor: Unnecessary pipeline project would do damage, New Haven Register

Leave a comment

Filed under Electricity Costs, Energy Efficiency, Natural Gas Pipelines, Renewables, Vermont Yankee Closing

Tagged as Charlie Baker, Entergy, Eversource, Maine, National Grid, natural gas, Northern Pass, nuclear, pipeline, Rhode Island, solar, Spectra, Vermont Gas

February 3, 2017 · 3:13 pm

Energy News for week ending February 3, 2017

Good afternoon. It’s Super Bowl Weekend! With that in mind let’s start off with a fun infographic from Penn Energy that describes what it would take for certain types of renewable energy to power a 60 inch plasma for the duration of the game. Any guesses on the number of potato batteries required?

In other news, MassLive reports that Senators Markey and Warren have asked FERC to rescind the Atlantic Bridge pipeline, but they may be out of luck with their request. Why you ask? Well it seems that despite “loving pipelines” the Washington Post reports that Trump’s personnel moves at FERC left them without a quorum, pretty much stopping them from getting anything done any time soon.

There was a lot of solar news this week from all around the region. The Union Leader reports the largest solar array in New England is planned in Hinsdale, NH – 65 MW total. Eversource, according to CommonWealth Magazine, is seeking higher fees on customers with solar. Bob Rio, writing on the AIM Blog says Massachusetts’ new solar subsidy program “gets it right.” And in Maine, Greentech Media reports that solar customers are going to receive lower bill credits.

Lastly, the NRC tells the Boston Globe that Pilgrim Nuclear in Plymouth is safe. In fact, it can refuel this spring and remain in operation until their planned shutdown date in May 2019.

Have a great weekend. And, Go Pats!

Natural Gas/Pipeline

Trump loves pipelines. But he just accidentally froze a bunch of them, Washington Post

Sens. Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren call on FERC to rescind Atlantic Bridge natural gas pipeline authorization, MassLive

Burrillville seeks more time to analyze Invenergy proposal, Valley Breeze

Rhode Island GOP leader asks Trump to jumpstart pipeline, Greeneville Sun

Ruling on Kinder Morgan pipeline proposal may be delayed, Danville Advocate

Tax hike to be on Rehoboth ballot, The Sun Chronicle

New analysis suggests ways for landowners to limit fracking and mineral extraction without regulations, Stanford University News

Florida Fracking Ban Bill Draws Bipartisan Support, InsideClimate News

New data: Pipeline leaks caused by human error are increasing, Digital Journal

US energy official’s resignation not expected to change Spectra decision, The Patriot Ledger

Renewable Energy

Super Bowl and the Environment: A fun look at renewable energy, Penn Energy

Net Metering: Energy Providers Clash On Cap, Utility Rates, New Hampshire Public Radio

Future of clean energy investment fund uncertain, VTdigger.org

Mass. Town To See Savings With Large Rooftop Solar Project, Solar Industry Magazine

Eversource seeks higher fees on customers with solar, Commonwealth Magazine

Solar Groups Praise Massachusetts’ Continued Support Of Incentives, Solar Industry Magazine

New solar plan cuts subsidies in half, CommonWealth magazine

Wind costs heading in the right direction, Windpower Monthly

Wind Turbines Blow Past Energy Records in Denmark, Popular Mechanics

Wind lender backs away from coal, Windpower Monthly

Proposed solar project in Hinsdale could be largest in New England. Union Leader

Maine Solar Customers to Receive Lower Bill Credits Starting in 2018, Greentech Media

Renewable Energy & Energy Storage To Expand Hand-In-Hand In Emerging Markets, Concludes World Bank, CleanTechnica

US Clean Energy Jobs Surpass Fossil Fuel Employment, Natural Resources Defense Council

Maine PUC tries to strike balance in phased reduction of NEM credit, Utility DIVE

UNH research: Trump voters don’t believe humans affecting climate, Foster’s Daily Democrat

Solar Policy Actions Spiked in 2016, With a Focus on Net Metering, Greentech Media

Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Massachusetts Inks Community Solar Deal, Solar Industry Magazine

Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency Program Expanded To Burlington Homeowners, WAMC

RI Environmental Activists Ponder Being Trumped, ecoRI news

Vermont Gas, BED launch residential energy efficiency program, Vermont Biz

A small efficiency experiment with big results, Rutland Herald

Energy savings and sustainable practices not out of reach midwinter, Bangor Daily News

Nuclear

Feds allow Pilgrim nuclear plant to remain open, BostonGlobe.com

Vermont Yankee decommissioning panel seeks more local reps, The Recorder

Vermont Yankee to move fuel in spring, vtdigger.org

Seabrook petition seeks to roll back impact fees, The Daily News of Newburyport

AARP wants disclosure, protections for ratepayers in Millstone bill, theday.com

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

‘Fuel security’ tops ISO New England’s challenges: CEO, Platts

National Grid Helps Drive Massachusetts Toward a Clean Energy Future, (press release) Justmeans.com

NH Supreme Court upholds Northern Pass access decision, The Union Leader

Regional Power Manager Warns of Future Grid Vulnerabilities In New England, WSHU

National Grid proposes added electricity rate reduction in R.I., beginning April 1, Fall River Herald News

An aging Maine power plant and nearby battery illuminate New England’s energy challenges, Bangor Daily News

NH’s high electricity costs threaten state economy, Seacoastonline.com

Vermonters spend less on electricity, despite high rates, BurlingtonFreePress.com

ICYMI: Electric Aggregation Coming To Sudbury Soon, Patch.com

Maine legislative committee questions electricity program staff, Bangor Daily News

Editorial/Opinion

New Solar Subsidy Program Gets it Right, AIM Blog

ViewPoint: Energy costs are costing New England companies, Boston Business Journal (paywall)

“Fitness for Purpose” Obligations for the Offshore Wind Sector, POWER magazine

Letter to the Editor: Regional emissions-cutting program saves money, lives, report shows, New Haven Register

‘Trump Can’t Stop Renewables Energy Growth At Home Or Abroad’, Forbes

Build the pipeline, not the wall, The Massachusetts Daily Collegian

Maine Compass: Biomass power benefits Maine, CentralMaine.com

Stalled federal policy hurts NH biomass, NHBR

Leave a comment

Filed under Electricity Costs, Energy Efficiency, Natural Gas Pipelines, Pilgrim Closing, solar

Tagged as electric rates, Entergy, Eversource, ISO New England, Northern Pass, nuclear, pipeline, Spectra, Vermont Gas

January 20, 2017 · 1:52 pm

Energy News for week ending January 20, 2017

It’s Friday so it’s time for the weekly energy news. Eversource filed a rate case this week calling for price hikes that the Berkshire Eagle says could “shock” Western MA customers. Shortly after the filing, MA Attorney General Healey issued a press release and told the Boston Globe that profits should go to “customers as savings, not raising rates.”

In other news, a CT lawmaker is trying to save Millstone from the same fate of other nuclear plants – that is shutting down due to low wholesale energy prices (New Haven Register). Lastly, the EIA released data that power sector emissions dropped below the transportation sector for first time in 4 decades (Utility DIVE).

Have a great weekend and Go Pats!

Natural Gas/Pipeline

Rep. Lynch Calls on Full Report on Leak at Spectra Station, Patch.com

Opponents of Weymouth gas compressor rue lost opportunity to stop project, The Patriot Ledger

Spectra says it’s willing to meet with Weymouth council about gas leak, Wicked Local

National Grid Rhode Island Pulls Access Northeast Regulatory Filing, Natural Gas Intelligence

Grafton selectmen rescind approval for gas pipeline drilling, Worcester Telegram

Renewable Energy

Sunrun partners with National Grid to expand rooftop solar, storage, Utility Dive

Corporate Buyers Which states make buying wind power easy for big brands?, The AWEA (blog)

Council OKs delay on solar power plants, Ricentral.com

Largest solar facility in Massachusetts goes live, The Salem News

Renewable Energy Is “Gaining Ground According To Nearly Every Measure,” says IRENA, Clean Technica

Energy Efficiency

Sustainable energy group offers expert tips for homeowners, Commons

Connecticut Honda Dealer Achieves Grid Neutral Status, Justmeans

Did you know marijuana is America’s most energy-intensive crop?, Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel

Energy-Efficient Improvements to Waltham Ice Rink Will Save Approximately $15k, Patch.com

Nuclear

Connecticut nuclear plant seeks to bid on state contracts, The Daily Progress

Connecticut lawmaker aims to ensure Millstone stays open, New Haven Register

Key player in Vermont Yankee closure leaving Entergy, Brattleboro Reformer

Vermont Yankee could be sold to New York company, Brattleboro coalition yet to determine next steps, The Recorder

Miniaturized Nuclear Power Plant? US Reviewing Proposed Design, NPR

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

EIA: Power sector emissions drop below transportation sector for first time in 4 decades, Utility DIVE

Eversource seeks big distribution rate hike, CommonWealth Magazine

Eversource requests electric rate hike that could shock Western Mass. Customers, Berkshire Eagle

Healey wants to pull plug on Eversource’s proposed rate hike, The Boston Globe

There’s a revolution happening in electricity. Utilities need to keep up, Vox.com

Report Describes $5.9B in Health Benefits from RGGI’s Carbon Reductions, MicroGrid Knowledge

NK knocked back by National Grid, Ricentral.com

Forest Society seeks details of fiscal relationship between Balsams, Northern Pass, Conway Daily Sun

Mercer wants city to be backup water source for power plant, Valley Breeze

Massachusetts eyes lofty electric car goal, Wicked Local Billerica

Medway power plant critics place hopes on environmental appeal, MetroWest Daily News

Officials probing after several manholes explode in Brockton, Penn Energy

Editorial/Opinion

Listen to the real energy concerns, New Hampshire Business Review

Fracking Blamed For Early Closure Of NY Nuclear Plant, Forbes

Paul Burns: Clean energy works for Vermont, vtdigger.org

How Bangor and Portland are taking meaningful action against climate change, Bangor Daily News

Rooftop Solar: Too Expensive to Meter, Energy Collective

Getting real about natural gas in Massachusetts, Lowell Sun

Leave a comment

Filed under Electricity Costs, Energy Efficiency, solar

Tagged as Entergy, Eversource, Millstone, National Grid, natural gas, nuclear, Rhode Island

January 13, 2017 · 1:55 pm

Energy News for week ending January 13, 2017

Happy Friday the 13^th! So what do you think your energy use is equivalent to in toasters? According to an article in GeekWire, Nathan Myhrvold explains, “Each American draws an average of 11 kilowatts of electrical power, which translates to having 11 toasters working all day, every day…In comparison, the global average is 2.5 kilowatts (or 2.5 toasters)…Africa is at 800 watts, which isn’t quite a toaster’s worth, but equivalent to a coffeemaker.” He adds that, “In the decades ahead, the whole world wants to have 11 toasters’ worth of electricity.” Myhrvold uses this interesting illustration to make the case that in order to meet this growing demand we need to invest in “next-generation technologies aimed at making fission-generated power safer and easier to manage” such as TerraPower, which has developed a “new type of nuclear reactor that makes use of depleted uranium and can sustain the fission process indefinitely.”

In other news, Bruce Mohl of CommonWealth Magazine reminds us that renewables aren’t cheap by comparing the cost of renewables-based residential electricity supply options with utilities’ basic-service offerings. And, while you’re on the CommonWealth Magazine site, be sure to read Gordon van Welie’s piece titled, “Grid in the balance.” There’s no sugar coating here – just plain facts about “suboptimal solutions” that may be required without infrastructure development. Speaking of which, we included an article from Utility DIVE in which Dominion has said blackouts will be the norm for a Virginia peninsula later this year because of coal plant closings and opposition to bring electricity to the area via a transmission line from a nearby nuclear plant. Hmmm. Perhaps they could use the TerraPower solution?

One last note for this week, Massachusetts comes in first again in another positive analysis – it’s the most friendly state for rooftop solar (Greentech Media).

Have a great weekend.

Natural Gas/Pipeline

National Grid: West Roxbury gas metering and regulating station is operational, Wicked Local West Roxbury

Eversource appeals state’s pipeline ruing to NH Supreme Court, Concord Monitor

Tough Road Seen For Access Northeast, LNG Storage, Too, Natural Gas Intelligence

Gas leak stopped at Spectra Energy Weymouth station, The Boston Globe

Gas leak heightens concerns over proposed Weymouth project, The Patriot Ledger

Spectra says pipeline unaffected by frozen valve in Weymouth, The Patriot Ledger

Weymouth mayor calls for changes at metering station after release, Patriot Ledger

Invenergy Identifies Johnston As Water Supplier For Burrillville Power Plant, Rhode Island Public Radio

Invenergy’s John Niland delivers false information at Woonsocket City Council meeting, RI Future

Local Pipeline Leaks Source of Climate Emissions, ecoRI news

Renewable Energy

Solar farms proposed for two central Maine towns, Press Herald

Vermont’s newly-elected GOP governor backs 90% RPS, Utility DIVE

Renewables not cheap, CommonWealth Magazine

New York sets bar high for offshore wind, UPI.com

Offshore investment ‘up’ 40%, reNews

Deepwater Wind pitches 120 MW Maryland offshore wind project, Electric Light & Power

John Kerry Says Clean Energy Will Yield Job Growth, Survival, Fortune

Eversource gets approval to build more solar plants in Massachusetts, wwlp.com

Cuomo Pledges to Lead on Climate, Cut RGGI Cap 30% by 2030, Natural Resources Defense Council

RGGI Report: Less pollution drives billions in health gains, Natural Resources Defense Council

Planners approve $45M solar farm, Cranston Herald

Connecticut’s Commercial Solar Pipeline Is Huge. But Will It Get Built?, (paywall) Greentech Media

New Milford Town Council approves payment deal for solar project, Danbury News Times

Report: Solar installations eating up Connecticut farmland, New Haven Register

Westerly considering solar partnership to reduce energy costs, The Westerly Sun

Maine regulators approve biomass subsidies split across 4 plants, Biomass Magazine

Solar company gets Athol’s blessing, with contingency, Going Green

Montpelier capital city to vote on ‘net zero’ options, Penn Energy

The States Most Friendly to Rooftop Solar, Ranked, Greentech Media

Sunrun forms strategic partnership with National Grid, PV-Tech

Eversource’s proposed 3.3-megawatt solar array in Lee up for public review, Berkshire Eagle

RGGI to offer 14.4 mln allowances in Mar. 8 auction, Carbon Pulse

Energy Efficiency

Weatherization Efforts Set in 14 Vermont Towns, Valley News

Investigation Indicates Lax Oversite of Quasi-State Energy Program, MainePublic.org

Obama Makes the Case for His Clean Energy Legacy, Scientific American

Nuclear

Millstone’s annual economic impact in state put at $1.3 billion, The Day

NRC starts review process for proposed Vt. Yankee sale, The Recorder

Former state regulator now an Entergy ally, Commons

Nathan Myhrvold explains why the nuclear power option is needed…with toasters, GeekWire

Climate change is fueling a second chance for nuclear power, PRI

Indian Point closing will end Entergy era in Northeast, Rutland Herald

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

Eversource plan concerns history advocates, Seacoastonline.com

Busy year for Footprint as project wraps up, Salem News

What’s Next for Energy Storage Policy? Watch Massachusetts, Microgrid Knowledge

Maine Power Company Deploying Drones to Respond to Power Outages, (video) NECN

What electric utilities can learn from the Vermont hacking scare, Utility DIVE

Energy giants, businesses among top Sununu inaugural donors, Eagle-Tribune

Bill requiring municipal approval of transmission lines proposed, The Union Leader

Sununu Sets Sights on Lowering NH’s Electric Bills — But Getting There Won’t Be Easy, New Hampshire Public Radio

Electric costs increasing in Wallingford for next six months, Meriden Record-Journal

Emera Initiates Energy Solicitation for Atlantic Link Transmission Project, Yahoo Finance

Dominion: Lack of transmission, coal shutdowns bring blackouts to Virginia peninsula, Utility DIVE

Death of Brayton Point leaves uncertain tax picture in Somerset, Herald News

Editorial/Opinion

Grid in the balance, CommonWealth magazine

As I See It: Making a case for natural gas, Worcester Telegram

Cummington: Contradance to benefit Pipe Line Awareness Network, Berkshire Eagle

Three Signs Of Hope In The U.S. For Energy Efficiency And Renewables in 2017, Forbes

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Filed under Electricity Costs, Natural Gas Pipelines, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as biomass, electric rates, Entergy, Eversource, Footprint Power, gas leaks, ISO New England, National Grid, nuclear, Rhode Island, Spectra, TerraPower, Vermont Yankee

December 9, 2016 · 4:21 pm

Energy News for week ending December 9, 2016

Welcome to the start of the weekend. Speaking of which, look to social media and out your front door for members of Mothers Out Front and other groups who plan on tagging and sharing the locations of gas leaks in their communities on Saturday (Wicked Local Bedford). ISO New England says the region will have enough power for this winter (Platts) but a cold arctic blast is causing gas prices to rise (Bloomberg). Lastly, in Maine developers pulled the plug on a 62 turbine, 165MW wind facility after the lengthy interconnection process caused them to lose their PPA (Bangor Daily News).

Natural Gas/Pipelines

Rehoboth Compressor Station Galvanizing Opposition, EcoRI

Weymouth to sue power plant owner over land deal for compressor station, Patriot Ledger

Gas pipeline delays most notable 2016 trend: Correction, Argus Media

Protests Continue As West Roxbury Pipeline Starts Operation, WGBH

Arctic Chill Blasting the U.S. Puts $4 Natural Gas Within Reach, Bloomberg

Medical group targets health concerns of West Roxbury Lateral gas pipeline, Wicked Local Dedham

Belledune natural gas options: Too soon to explore, says Enbridge, CBC News (Canada)

Gas leaks in Bedford: environmental group wants them plugged, Wicked Local Bedford

Renewable Energy

Can new tariff models help Massachusetts solve the rooftop solar compensation puzzle?, Utility Dive

Developers hit brakes on massive wind project in Aroostook County, Bangor Daily News

Fishing interests, New Bedford sue feds over New York wind turbines, South Coast Today

Be the Change: Maine’s New Born Global Challenge, Renewable Energy World

Ameresco to develop community solar projects in Massachusetts, PV World

MESys opens pellet distribution facility in Massachusetts, Biomass Magazine

Eversource Plans Solar Projects In Pittsfield and Lanesborough, iBerkshires.com

Pellet boiler tour offers energy lessons, Recorder

State to begin deliberating on Antrim wind project today, Keene Sentinel

Solar farm project revisited in Somersworth, Fosters.com

Energy Efficiency

ACEEE Ranks Most Energy-efficient States, ACHR News

SPECIAL REPORT: Maynard family reduces their carbon footprint, MetroWest Daily News

Nuclear

Nuclear plant officials quizzed about gun-tampering response, Eagle Tribune

Pilgrim Station closure impacts region, Wicked Local Plymouth

NRC email fuels concerns about Plymouth nuke plant safety, Wicked Local Pembroke

Pilgrim Station eyed as site for hydroelectric power cable, Manomet Current

Windham region looks for ‘green’ recovery from Yankee closure, VT Digger

Markets/Grid/Policy/Prices/Etc.

Mid-Cape Towns to Benefit from Eversource System Upgrade, CapeCod.com

Regulators look to improve Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, VT Digger

Cape Light Compact Going 100 Percent Renewable and Announces Competitive Pricing, CapeCod.com

NRG’s Unit 3 Gets Unanimous OK From Commission, Capenews.net

Medway selectmen ink contract with energy consultant, MetroWest Daily News

Power line to link Canada, NE gets key US permit, Burlington Free Press

Power line developers dismiss need for costly grid upgrades, VT Digger

Climate, government trust on legislators’ minds at WMass summit, Gazettenet.com

ISO New England Implements Winter Reliability Program, Transmission & Distribution World

Energy landscape undergoes major changes, Herald News

SPECIAL REPORT: Energy benefits of being local, Wicked Local Westford

ISO New England says to have enough power this winter, Platts

Overheard at the ISO-NE Consumer Liaison Group Meeting, RTO Insider

Energy report: Bad news for those already struggling to pay, CT Post

Wallingford power rates going up, Record Journal

Holden Municipal Light Department projects revenue increase, Worcester Telegram

Leader Q&A: Eversource chief says Northern Pass ‘going well’, NH Union Leader

Editorials/Op Eds

Letter: Bay State must commit to renewable energy, Eagle Tribune

Ex-Senator: Closure of Vermont Yankee a cautionary tale for NY (Commentary), Syracuse.com

Solar energy deserves continued support, The Day

My Turn: Replace Eversource with a true cooperative electric utility, Concord Monitor

Our View: Pollution curbs on coal-fired plants have made Gulf of Maine tuna safer, Press Herald

Leave a comment

Filed under Electricity Costs, offshore wind, Pilgrim Closing, solar, Wind Power

Tagged as biomass, Entergy, Eversource, Maine, nuclear, offshore wind, solar

December 2, 2016 · 2:41 pm

Energy News for week ending December 2, 2016

Happy Friday. In this week’s energy news the Boston Globe reports that despite protests, the Spectra pipeline began transmitting gas on Thursday. Bruce Gellerman of WBUR brings listeners (and readers) inside Northfield Mountain to learn about New England’s largest battery. And in Rhode Island, according to EcoRI, the CLF is pushing back against a pipeline tax after similar measures in other NE states were struck down by the courts

Natural Gas/Pipeline

Pipeline protesters glad Mayor Walsh came to West Roxbury vigil, Wicked Local West Roxbury

West Roxbury pipeline to open, despite protests, The Boston Globe

Vermont to miss benefits of falling natural gas prices, Watchdog.org

Residents gear up to oppose Rehoboth natural gas compressor station, WPRI 12

EPA’s late changes to fracking study downplay risk of drinking water pollution, Marketplace.org

Law Foundation Again Seeks Dismissal of Pipeline Tax, ecoRI news

Renewable Energy

Small, clean energy projects chosen to boost power grid, WLNE-TV (ABC6)

Solar farm takes root on former Worcester landfill, Telegram & Gazette

Upstate NY towns embroiled in fight over tall wind turbines, Penn Energy

Is Burning Wood CO2 Neutral?, Energy Collective