Tag Archives: solar

June 25, 2021 · 4:47 pm

Energy News for week ending June 25, 2021

Bad Actors | 16,000 | Climate Change Deceit | Scrap the EE Plan

Happy Friday folks.

We’re bringing you another double edition this week. We are blessed here with busy times so client work comes first and this project lately has had to take a back seat.

But we’re making time today so let’s get to the news.

It was a bad couple of weeks for some alleged bad utility execs:

New York scrutiny: National Grid faces bribery investigation; revenues docked for Con Edison, NYSEG, RG&E, Utility Dive
Trial dates set for utility cooperatives indicted in Kentucky Derby trips case, The Day

With headlines like that, it’s no wonder bills such as this get proposed: New York Bill Would Require Electric Utilities To Disclose Executive Salaries, Report Expenses, WSHU

Some big rooftop solar is coming to Massachusetts. From MassLive, “Medline Industries, Inc., plans to install the largest rooftop solar array in Massachusetts on its distribution center in Uxbridge. Medline’s 800,000 square foot Uxbridge Distribution Center will house nearly 16,000 solar panels on its extensive roof, generating renewable energy with environmental benefits equivalent to planting 93,000 trees or powering more than 800 homes annually according to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”

MA Attorney General Maura Healey won a big one and will get a day (or months) in court, Exxon must face Massachusetts lawsuit alleging climate change deceit, Reuters.

And I’m sharing this last story for the headline and to give me a chance to ask a question, Mass. Efficiency Program Draft Plan Should Be Scrapped, Senator Says, Net Zero Insider. So here is a question – we have a lot of really old housing stock here in Massachusetts. When creating more space in an old home – such as an attic renovation – why on earth is closed cell foam insulation – which is highly energy efficient – not part of the MassSave program? I welcome those in the know to respond.

Thank you for reading. Enjoy the many articles below and have a wonderful weekend.

Climate Change

New Jersey Utility Accelerates Net Zero Carbon Plan by 20 Years, Bloomberg Green

Communities in Massachusetts Fight for Right to Be Green, Net Zero Insider (subscriber content)

Mass. Cities Begin Acting on New State Climate Laws, Net Zero Insider

Has the Carbontech Revolution Begun?, New York Times

Bipartisan lawmakers back clean electricity standard, but fall short of Biden goal, The Hill

Shell Gets Greener, Even as Climate Advocates Say, ‘Go Faster,’ New York Times

Renewables/TCI/RGGI

Harnessing the tides: The future of renewable energy could begin in Cape Cod Canal, Cape Cod Times

It looks like CT’s Transportation Climate Initiative bill is dead. Now what?, CT Mirror

Regional initiative to cut road emissions wins RI Senate approval, Providence Journal

Legislators hope to make northern Maine a hub of renewable power exports, Bangor Daily News

Building New Renewables Is Cheaper Than Burning Fossil Fuels, Bloomberg Green

Majority of wind and solar power installed in 2020 cheaper than new coal-fired production: Irena, Recharge News

Renewables are seeing declines in cost and market value: What gives?, PV Magazine

Amazon and Other Tech Giants Race to Buy Up Renewable Energy Wall St. Journal

Atlantic salmon advocates angry about fish they say were injured during Waterville dam repair, Press Herald

Wind

Wind turbine efforts advance, Salem, state to partner on making port staging area, Salem News

Sen. Shaheen Backs Plan To Split Offshore Wind Lease Revenue Among Coastal States, NHPR

Coastal regulators look to standardize wind farm compensation deals to avoid disputes, Providence Business News

New group spotlights New York offshore supply chain, Renews.biz

Feds to start environmental review for wind farm off South Shore, News Day

Video Simulation Shows What Empire Wind Project, Off Long Island And N.J., Will Look Like From Shore, CBS New York

Can Massive Cargo Ships Use Wind to Go Green?, New York Times

Bill meant to speed development of offshore windmills heads to governor’s desk, NJ.com

Offshore Wind in NJ: Meeting the state’s clean energy and economic goals, NJ Spotlight

NJ Shore Towns Want Say Over Offshore Wind Projects, Push Back on Legislative Proposal, NBC Philadelphia

Solar

Medline in Uxbridge to install the largest rooftop solar array in Massachusetts, MassLive

NJ Solar Push Squeezes Farms, Net Zero Insider (subscriber content)

Can America’s Solar Power Industry Compete with China’s? One Firm Tries, Wall St. Journal

Falmouth town meeting to consider zoning changes for solar farm on golf course, Cape Cod Times

With Bee the Change, Weybridge Couple Fills Solar Fields With Insect-Friendly Habitat, 7 Days

Waldo Renewable Electric installs 47.52-kW rooftop solar project for Connecticut’s Running Brook Farms, Solar Power World

Efficiency/Storage

‘Reports of energy efficiency’s death are greatly exaggerated.’ The cost keeps falling as the resource grows, Utility Dive

Mass. Efficiency Program Draft Plan Should Be Scrapped, Senator Says, Net Zero Insider

Nation’s 1st “Net Zero” Hotel Takes Form, New Haven Independent

Maine becomes 9th US state to adopt energy storage deployment target, Energy Storage News

EVs

Electric Vehicles Seen Reaching Sales Supremacy by 2033, Faster Than Expected, Bloomberg Green

Newton has a ways to go in reaching electric vehicle goals, Boston Globe

Nuclear

Company: Yankee nuclear plant demolition remains in budget, WCAX

Gas/Oil/Fossil/Pipelines

Peabody commission hears concerns about planned power plant, Salem News

Power plant session draws protesters, Salem News

Connecticut Neighborhood Pushes Back Against Planned Fuel Cell Power Plant, WNPR

Intense divide over Tennessee Gas Pipeline expansion evident at county meeting, NJ Herald

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices, etc.

Interconnection issues jeopardize New England’s clean energy goals, PV Magazine

White House agrees to bipartisan infrastructure deal with $73B in power grid spending, Utility Dive

New York scrutiny: National Grid faces bribery investigation; revenues docked for Con Edison, NYSEG, RG&E, Utility Dive

US grid needs overhaul to keep up with renewable revolution, says GE exec, Sen. Heinrich, Utility Dive

The National Guard Just Simulated A Cyberattack That Brought Down Utilities Nationwide, The Drive

House passes broad bipartisan measure to help states fund energy cybersecurity efforts, Utility Dive

National labs identify priorities in modernizing U.S. electricity markets, PV Magazine

Trial dates set for utility cooperatives indicted in Kentucky Derby trips case, The Day

New York Bill Would Require Electric Utilities To Disclose Executive Salaries, Report Expenses, WSHU

Ethics commission again behind closed doors in CMP transmission line case, Press Herald

Drone inspection of power lines will be out of sight but not out of mind, Concord Monitor

Opinion

Stop sweetheart deals with state utilities, CommonWealth Magazine

Energy efficiency is a low-hanging fruit to combat climate change. So why can’t everyone get access to it?, Boston Globe

Social justice is a key issue in Mass. energy efficiency programs, Boston Globe

Lawmakers shouldn’t overlook gas tax increase to pay for infrastructure, transportation, Bangor Daily News

Opinion/Searson: RI should lead the way on renewable energy, Providence Journal

Week of 6/18/21

Climate Change

Earth is now trapping an ‘unprecedented’ amount of heat, NASA says, Washington Post

Renewables/TCI/RGGI

The US East Coast is set to become a green energy job powerhouse, Quartz (subscriber content)

A power play? Steam plant owner aims to decarbonize downtown with huge building project, Boston Globe

Confidence Among Renewable Energy Investors at an All-Time High: Report, Environment and Energy Leader

Schneider Electric, Citizens Energy Form Alliance for Microgrid, Renewable Projects

Wind

Shore towns want say over wind projects, push back on bill, AP

Solar

Why America Doesn’t Really Make Solar Panels Anymore, The Atlantic

The Dark Side of Solar Power, Harvard Business Review

Massachusetts group tests new model for solar on affordable housing projects, ENN

Efficiency/Storage

It’s not easy being green in Massachusetts, but here’s how., Boston Globe

Boston City Councilor Wants Big Buildings To Become Carbon Neutral, WBUR

Nexamp looks beyond solar, to storage and utility scale, Boston Inno

EVs

G-7 Drops Aim to Shift New Car Sales Away from Oil By 2030, Bloomberg Green

G.M. will increase investment in electric vehicles by 30 percent and build more battery plants., NY Times

Volkswagen Readies ‘Massive’ Rejig to U.S. Plans on Biden’s EV Shift, Bloomberg Green

America’s Electric Vehicle Future, WBUR

Nuclear

U.S. nuclear regulator approves fuel for next-generation reactors, Reuters

Gas/Oil/Fossil/Pipelines

Oil Price Hits Pandemic High as Investors Bet on Green Energy, Wall St. Journal

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices, etc.

Maine Senate Approves Utility Takeover Bill, Gov. Mills Signals Veto Is Imminent, Maine Public

Eversource and UI appeal Connecticut regulators’ financial hit for Tropical Storm Isaias response, Hartford Courant

Utilities to DOE: More information, not new regulations, needed to secure the grid, Utility Dive

Mass. Residents Think Regulators Can Improve Public Engagement, RTO Insider (subscriber content)

To address transmission issues, FERC and NARUC agree to tackle barriers through a new task force, PV Magazine

Opinion

Hybrid storage and renewable projects are popular. Are they the best for the market,? Utility Dive

Mass. should set 100% clean energy mandate, CommonWealth Magazine

Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is necessary, inevitable (Guest viewpoint), MassLive

Training underway to meet offshore wind industry demand for jobs, Barnstable Patriot

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, Energy Efficiency, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as climate change, Electric Grid, Maine, Massachusetts, offshore wind, solar

June 12, 2021 · 1:01 pm

Energy News for week ending June 12, 2021

4 Million Years | TCI Participation Shrinking | Scavenging Energy

Happy Saturday.

There was a lot of energy news this week.

Here are a few interesting stories:

CO₂ Reaches Its Highest Level in More Than 4 Million Years, Bloomberg Green
Connecticut Shelves Transportation Climate Initiative, NBC CT
MIT Engineers Have Discovered a Completely New Way of Generating Electricity, SciTech Daily

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

Climate Change

Despite pandemic, carbon dioxide level in atmosphere hits record high, Washington Post

Watchdogs on alert ahead of climate law implementation, State House News Service via WWLP

Vt. Governor Signs State Budget with $250M for Climate Mitigation, RTO Insider

New Multi-State Initiative Seeks to Protect Coastal Environment, Hawaii Public Radio

G-7 Targets Environmental Crimes in Push for Greater Disclosure, Bloomberg Green

SRPEDD receives $78K+ grant for climate resiliency, WickedLocal

Ninety degree days occurring earlier and more often. A rising toll of health effects. What does this say about climate change?, Boston Globe

Climate Change Has Central Americans Fleeing to the U.S., Bloomberg Green

Renewables/TCI/RGGI

Mass. Bill Would Allow Utilities to Sell Geothermal Energy, Net Zero Insider (subscriber content)

Smithfield seeking proposals for renewable energy projects, Valley Breeze

Vermont Standard Offer program 2021 request for proposals released, soliciting over 12 megawatts of renewable energy, VT Digger

Conservation groups to sue major hydro plan owner over Kennebec damn operations, Press Herald

OTR: Rep. Lori Trahan taking patient approach with move toward green energy, WCVB TV

Renewable Energy Boom Unleashes a War Over Talent for Green Jobs, Bloomberg Green

Electricity Bill with 100% Renewable-Sourcing Goal by 2030 Passes Senate, EcoRI

Convert New York’s Entire Grid to Renewables With This One Trick, Vice.com

How green bottlenecks threaten the clean energy business, The Economist (subscriber content)

The green energy revolution is coming — with or without help from Washington, CNN Politics

Wind

Amended Wind Energy Bill Includes Permanent Ban On Wind Projects Within State Waters, Maine Public

Offshore Wind Farms Show What Biden’s Climate Plan Is Up Against, New York Times

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Competitive Lease Sale for Offshore Wind Development for New York and New Jersey (Press Release), US Dept. of Interior

Stony Brook University to launch offshore wind training this summer, Newsday

Baker, guvs urge Biden to keep offshore wind a priority, Gloucester Times

One Oil Company’s Rocky Path to Renewable Energy, Wall St. Journal

New Jersey’s 2nd Offshore Wind Project Expected to Be Approved June 24, NBC Philadelphia

State study looks at putting wind turbines in the Great Lakes, seeking public comment, WKBW

Solar

Solar firm expands with acquisition of energy storage systems, WWLP

Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure completes 12 MW of solar projects in New York and Rhode Island, Solar Power World

SolarConnecticut asks governor to veto prevailing wage bill that would add costs to commercial solar, Solar Power World

Maine’s largest solar power project Milo Solar is ‘energized,’ News Center Maine

Hecate Energy plans a $500 million, 500 MW solar project in New York State, PV Magazine

Plenty of voices heard on solar moratorium, Lockport Journal

Solar company wants to be excluded from potential moratorium, Lockport Journal

Wiscasset residents approve 20-acre solar farm at airport, The Times Record

Exclusive: New York project to combine solar power with high-speed broadband, Axios

New Jersey solar-ready warehouse bill heads to Gov. Murphy’s desk, PV Magazine

Kearsarge Energy, GZA complete 2.8-MW solar project at former petroleum facility, Solar Power World

Efficiency/Storage

Urgency Needed on Mass. HVAC Retrofits, Boston Official Says, Net Zero Insider (subscriber content)

Connecticut legislators approve 1 GW energy storage target for the end of 2030, Utility Dive

Incentives, interconnection rule changes needed to drive renewables + storage, Ørsted, DNV experts say, Utility Dive

‘Cool’ roofs, cooler designs as the building industry embraces energy sustainability, Washington POst

Greentown Labs Announces the Healthy Buildings Challenge with Saint-Gobain and MassCEC, Press Release Greentown Labs

How vehicle-to-grid technology could disrupt energy storage investment as we know it, Canary Media

EVs

Good Question: What happens if my electric car breaks down?, WHEC

Connecticut lawmakers once again reject Tesla legislation to sell electric vehicles directly to car buyers, Hartford Courant

Electric vehicle service stations might soon be on their way to Vermont, WCAX

High-speed EV charger network to extend eastward to Acadia, Maine Biz

The Future of Classic Porsches and Jaguars? Electrification, WSJ

G-7 Eyes Ambitious Shift to Electric Cars and Away From Oil, Bloomberg Green

A California Startup Now Offers a Full EV Battery in Just 10 Minutes, Bloomberg Green

GM’s EV Gamble Could Be Toyota’s Gain as Carmakers Place Bets, Bloomberg Green

Nuclear

Energy secretary: ‘Yucca Mountain will not be a storage place for nuclear waste,’ 8 News Now

Advanced nuclear tech in ‘early innings’ but essential to widespread decarbonization, utility execs say, Utility Dive

Gas/Oil/Coal

Shell Vows to Speed Up Emissions Cuts in Wake of Court Ruling, WSJ

Health Experts, Climate Orgs Ask Eversource to Shift from Natural Gas, RTO Insider

Peabody Power Plant Battle Heats Up As ‘Pause’ Nears 30 Days, Patch .com

The Retreat of Exxon and the Oil Majors Won’t Stop Fossil Fuel, Bloomberg Green

Passaic County scraps resolution to oppose gas pipeline project in West Milford, Daily Record

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices, etc.

New England states push for governance changes in ISO-NE, ahead of anticipated MOPR reform, Utility Dive

Newest stretch of N.Y.’s massive ‘Energy Highway’ is opening, Times Union

Energy secretary says enemies are capable of shutting down US power grid, NY Post

FERC Accepts, Rejects Parts of ISO-NE, NEPOOL ORTP Filing, RTO Insider

Divestment goes Maine-stream, Grist.org

New York Utility Negotiation Bill Moves To Cuomo’s Desk, WSHU

Glick: FERC to outline plan to tackle transmission ‘certainly’ by the end of summer, Utility Dive

NYISO Tracker: Higher gas prices, power demand, temps increase NYISO power prices, S&P Global Platts

LIPA Energy Choice Bill Clears a Hurdle, East Hampton Star

Court ruling on utility taxes may save millions for customers, NJ Spotlight

How Microgrids Will Change the Way Electricity Is Made, Delivered and Used, Microgrid Knowledge

‘Private industry can’t do it alone’: Lessons for electric utilities from the Colonial ransomware fallout, Utility Dive

National Grid encourages FERC to provide better incentives for grid-enhancing technology, Utility Dive

CMP fined $360,000 for transmission system testing violation, Sun Journal

Con Ed To Cough Up $530K For Food Spoiled In Isaias Outages, Patch.com

Biden’s proposed corporate tax hike poses potential for costlier utility bills, Fox News

Power Prices Surge Amid Air-Conditioning Binge in U.S. Northeast, Bloomberg Green

Opinion

Hydroelectric relicensing and protecting traditional cultural property on the Connecticut River (Guest viewpoint), MassLive

Rep. Caiazzo: Ballot question must present Maine voters with clear choices on NECEC, Press Herald

The safety of nuclear’s future, Science

Commentary: Yes, renewables can supply New York’s energy needs, Times Union

Time to prioritize offshore wind supply chain, CommonWealth Magazine

Solar gone wrong, CommonWealth Magazine

Andrew Ahern: Worcester, this is what the climate crisis feels like, Telegram

Enough Is Enough. It’s Time To Shut Down The Weymouth Compressor, WBUR

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as carbon, climate change, Connecticut, energy storage, Maine, offshore wind, solar

March 12, 2021 · 4:14 pm

Energy News for week ending March 12, 2021

Round 3 | Shutesbury Solar | Sweat Energy

Happy Friday folks.

I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather the past couple of days.

Two big pieces of news out of Massachusetts this week. The first from Jon Chesto at the Boston Globe, “Governor Charlie Baker’s administration has kicked off the state’s third round of bidding for offshore wind energy contracts, and this one has the potential to be the biggest yet. State officials are soliciting bids for up to 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind electricity this time around. To put that in perspective, the Vineyard Wind development team won the state’s first round of offshore wind energy bids in 2018, to deliver 800 megawatts to Massachusetts electricity customers. That was enough power for more than 400,000 homes. The Mayflower Wind team won the second round in 2019, with a similarly sized proposal. State officials hope that by offering the opportunity to go bigger, economies of scale can help control costs and logistics for the industry, particularly with regard to power lines to bring that electricity to the mainland. The rules for the new round of bidding were filed with the Department of Public Utilities on Wednesday.”

And out of Western Mass, Shutesbury to be exact, we have a story from Scott Merzbach at the Daily Hampshire Gazette, “Five solar projects that combined would become possibly the largest such renewable power source in the state — and which would also bring significant revenue to the town — are being proposed for development. Amp Energy of Ontario, Canada, is taking the initial steps to use up to 190 acres of forested land, owned by W.D. Cowls Inc., for the arrays that would generate 45 megawatts of power. That’s enough power to serve 5,000 households, the company said. ‘To my knowledge, this would be the largest in Massachusetts,’ Evan Turner, a representative for Amp, told the Select Board and Planning Board during a presentation earlier this month. Turner said the company already holds a lease option for the sites for the ‘very large proposal as a group of projects.’ Before moving forward with the plans, though, the company would like to pursue what is called a municipal partnership model that would generate $450,000 for the town in the first year of payment in lieu of taxes.”

And in what could be bad news for the makers of anti-perspirants, we have this from Microgrid Knowledge, “Nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a wearable microgrid that harvests and stores energy from the human body to power small electronics. It consists of three main parts: sweat-powered biofuel cells, motion-powered devices called triboelectric generators, and energy-storing supercapacitors. All parts are flexible, washable and can be screen printed onto clothing.” Hmmm. Whatever happened to “Never let them see you sweat?”

That’s the recap for the week. Enjoy the weekend and stay safe!

Climate Change

Republican delays action on climate change bill, CommonWealth Magazine

U.S. must slash emissions by at least 57% to meet Paris climate target: report, Reuters

Biden Is Betting His Whole Climate Agenda on Infrastructure, Greentech Media

Rising Sea Levels Inundating Coastal Economies Four Times Faster, Bloomberg Green

Senate to include some Baker ideas into climate bill, WWLP

Arlington Sets 30-Year Plan To Reduce Greenhouse Gases To Zero, Arlington Patch

6 months of summer? Researchers say it’s possible, E&E News (subscriber content)

Renewables/RGGI/TCI

84% of New US Power Plants This Year Will Be Carbon-Free, Intelligent Living

Finding work in the green energy sector, Greenfield Recorder

Conn. Officials Push Back on ‘Gas Tax’ Label of TCI-P, RTO Insider

Wind

Mass. starts round three of bidding for offshore wind energy contracts, Boston Globe

Offshore Wind Pricing Plan Stirring Crosscurrents, State House News Service (subscriber content)

Biden’s interior acts quickly on Vineyard Wind, WWLP

Offshore wind permitting bottleneck expected to ease as Interior completes review of first US large project, Utility Dive

NH Bill Envisions 600-800 MW in OSW Bids, Net Zero Insider

US Offshore Wind Industry Suffers Through Severe Case Of Déjà Vu All Over Again, Again, CleanTechnica

BOEM chief pledges new US offshore wind leases ‘as quickly as we can,’ Recharge

Solar

Proposed combined solar projects in Shutesbury possibly state’s largest, Daily Hampshire Gazette

Lawmakers, including some Democrats, worry Maine’s solar policies too generous, Press Herald

White Plains Installing More Than 1,000 Solar Panels As Part Of Push To Increase Renewable Energy, CBS New York

A Triple-Decker For The 21st Century: Airtight And Solar-Powered, WBUR

Efficiency/Storage

Poll: Home energy upgrades could be challenge, CommonWealth Magazine

Building a better home for Middletown’s MARC a joint effort, Middletown Press

Global climate models may vastly overstate energy savings from efficiency measures, analysis finds, Utility Dive

Federal bills creating standalone storage tax credit raise hopes for significant boost, akin to solar, Utility Dive

The Rise of Energy on Wheels, Microgrid Knowledge

EVs

Electric Vehicles Are the U.S. Auto Industry’s Future—if Dealers Can Figure Out How to Sell Them, Wall St. Journal

U.S. lawmakers propose giving USPS $6 billion for electric delivery vehicles, Reuters

DOE will spend billions on electric vehicle R&D in jobs fight with China, Granholm says, Utility Dive

Electric Cars Are Coming. How Long Until They Rule the Road?, New York Times

Nuclear

What’s the Role for New Nuclear Power in the Fight Against Climate Change?, Greentech Media

PSEG says without $300M ratepayer nuclear subsidy, it will close South Jersey plants, NJ Spotlight News

‘There’s No Town Left’: Fukushima’s Eerie Landscapes, New York Times

Natural Gas/Pipelines/Oil/Drilling

Weymouth councilors seek involvement in compressor station process, Patriot Ledger

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

Why every state is vulnerable to a Texas-style power crisis, Vox

A Microgrid You Can Wear? Yep. And You’re the Energy Source, Microgrid Knowledge

A total mindshift’: Utilities replace gas peakers, ‘old school’ demand response with flexible DERs, Utility Dive

US climate targets ‘unreachable’ without high-voltage trunklines: FERC chief, Recharge

New York Transco begins construction on 54.5 mile transmission line in upstate NY, Daily Energy Insider

Deregulation Aimed to Lower Home-Power Bills. For Many, It Didn’t, Wall St. Journal

Analysts point to $500B investment gap in climate resilience for electric utilities, Utility Dive

U.S. power use to rise in 2021 as governments ease lockdowns: EIA, Reuters

Not Wanting to Become Texas, New Jersey Grants $4 Million for Microgrid Studies, Microgrid Knowledge

Opinion

3 Massachusetts myths about offshore wind, CommonWealth Magazine

There’s no time to waste — Baker, Legislature must enact the climate bill, Boston Globe

Massachusetts 2020: A warming state, Amherst Wire

Palmer Renewable Energy can’t greenwash its emissions away (Guest viewpoint), MassLive

Keep state’s nuclear plants operating to secure future, Woodstock Independent

Leave a comment

Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as energy efficiency, EVs, Massachusetts, offshore wind, solar

March 5, 2021 · 4:49 pm

Energy News for week ending March 5, 2021

Little Change | Playing Politics | Fusion

Happy Friday folks.

We are long into the day so here are a few interesting stories from this week:

Mariano expects climate bill won’t change much, WWLP (State House News Service)
Biden accused of playing politics on Vineyard Wind, CommonWealth Magazine
MIT energy startup homes in on fusion, with plans for 47-acre site in Devens, Boston Globe

Of course there is plenty more reading below so be sure to check it out.

Enjoy the weekend and stay safe!

Climate Change

Biden hikes cost of carbon, easing path for new climate rules, Politico

In Wake of Texas Crisis, Advocates Say State Must Require Utilities Prepare For Climate Change, WBUR

After Historic Fall, Carbon Emissions Are Now Coming Back Fast, Bloomberg Green

New climate ‘normal’ for Atlantic hurricanes shows more frequent and intense storms, Washington Post

Amid Climate Change Threats, Cape Planners Ask: Is It Time To Retreat From The Coast?, WGBH

New Roundtable Of Utilities And Environmental Groups Call For Deep Cuts In Carbon Pollution, Forbes.com

A 20-Year-Old Climate Mystery Has Finally Been Explained, Bloomberg Green

Renewables/RGGI/TCI

New York issues final rules to speed development of large renewable energy projects, Utility Dive

Energy firms bet on hydrogen boom, but payday far away, Reuters

US lags international peers on renewables development, and federal policy is to blame: Moody’s, Utility Dive

House Democrats introduce bill with pathway to 100% clean energy by 2035, Utility Dive

Wind

Biden accused of playing politics on Vineyard Wind, CommonWealth Magazine

Wind Power Was Thriving in Texas. Then Came the Freeze., Wall St. Journal

Solar

A scrappy solar developer took utility regulators to court. And won., Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Vermont’s Green Mountain Power to Build Microgrid, Plans Others, Microgrid Knowledge

Biden’s ‘Buy America’ plan may hit a solar wall, E&E News

Biden Administration Backs Trump on Solar Tariff Suit, Greentech Media

Efficiency/Storage

Utility behind the meter storage, Smart Energy International

Energy efficiency plan would hike surcharge, Gloucester Times

New York Senate advances environmental justice package, including energy efficiency jobs bill, Utility Dive

EVs

Old batteries from electric cars get new life off the grid, Washington Post

How Green Are Electric Vehicles?, New York Times

The debate over EV charging at interstate rest stops, Utility Dive

Volvo to go fully electric by 2030, CNN.com

South Korean Battery Makers Pitch White House About Disputed Georgia Factory, Wall St. Journal

GM Looking to Build Second Battery Factory in U.S., Wall St. Journal

A growing appetite for EVs tasks the supply chain to scale, Utility Dive

Nuclear

MIT energy startup homes in on fusion, with plans for 47-acre site in Devens, Boston Globe

Nuclear Power’s Prospects Cool a Decade After Fukushima Meltdowns, Wall St. Journal

Natural Gas/Pipelines/Oil/Drilling

A Texas city had a bold new climate plan – until a gas company got involved, The Guardian

Winter Storm Eased Natural-Gas Glut, Wall St. Journal

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

Why Global Power Grids Are Still Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks, Bloomberg

Texas Overcharged $16 Billion for Power During Freeze, Monitor Says, Wall St. Journal

Texas Power Regulator Urged to Halt Collections as Crisis Fallout Spreads, Wall St. Journal

Texas Blackout Hearings Highlight Intertwined Risks of Natural Gas, Power Grid and Deregulated Market, Greentech Media

New Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has advice for Texas — and for the oil industry, Washington Post

States Seek More Input, Visibility into ISO-NE Governance, RTO Insider

Coal-fired Merrimack Station in Bow wins another year of funding, Concord Monitor

Baker extends ban on utility shutoff, Salem News

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says power crisis in Texas could happen anywhere in the country, CBS News

Opinion

Biomass plant COO says science on his side, CommonWealth Magazine

Leave a comment

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

Tagged as climate change, EVs, fusion energy, MIT, natural gas, solar, Vineyard Wind

February 5, 2021 · 4:13 pm

Energy News for week ending February 5, 2021

Solar Baffled | Regional Approach | Power the World

Happy Friday folks.

Here’s what we’re reading this week:

Solar industry baffled as Maine energy provider cites costly upgrades to accommodate them, NH Union Leader

Gov. Baker sees potential in regional approach to wind energy, State House News Service via Herald News

The Battery Is Ready to Power the World, Wall St. Journal

And if you’re looking to test your climate knowledge, take this quiz in the Washington Post Climate-friendly farming and Science Moms.

As always enjoy the weekend, Stay safe and as much as it pains me to say this, Go Bucs!

Climate Change

Biden team in talks with utilities, car companies about emissions: climate adviser, Reuters

Social factors could be final barrier to deep US decarbonization, National Academies report finds, Utility Dive

U.S. Cities Are Vastly Undercounting Emissions, Researchers Find, New York Times

Climate-friendly farming and Science Moms, (quiz) Washington Post

Experts Tell Biden: Your Climate Goals Require a Carbon Price, Bloomberg Green

Sea Levels Are Rising Faster Than Most Pessimistic Forecasts, Bloomberg Green

Waiting 10 years to start eliminating emissions will cost the US more than $3.5 trillion, Quartz

A State-by-State Model of the US Net-Zero-Carbon Future, Greentech Media

Renewables/RGGI/TCI

The dark side of ‘green energy’ and its threat to the nation’s environment, Deseret News

Green Hydrogen Backers See Opening in Biden Climate Ambition (1), Bloomberg Law

WoodMac on Green Hydrogen: It’s Going To Happen Faster Than Anyone Expects, Greentech Media

Cambridge energy firm raises $158M after closing SPAC deal, Boston Business Journal

Wind

Gov. Baker sees potential in regional approach to wind energy, State House News Service via Herald News

Salem’s possible role in building off-shore turbines explored, Salem News

Feds put Vineyard Wind back on permitting front burner, Herald News

Offshore wind projects may get back on track, Salem News

Biden administration puts Vineyard Wind energy project back on track, Boston Globe

Somerset’s Brayton Point Commerce Center at an impasse, The Herald News

Fishermen, developers hit impasse over offshore wind farm plan, Providence Journal

Wind Energy Research Project Inches Ahead, The Free Press

The Empire State Building and its related buildings are now powered by wind, Washington Post

Rich Hamptons Residents Scared of ‘Violent Energy Releases’ From Offshore Wind Farm Cable, Gizmodo

Solar

Solar industry baffled as Maine energy provider cites costly upgrades to accommodate them, NH Union Leader

Solar developer fined $1.14M for wetlands damage in Williamsburg, Daily Hampshire Gazette

Biden wants solar jobs. People may not want them, E&E News

Efficiency/Storage

The Battery Is Ready to Power the World, Wall St. Journal

How to Engage Middle America on Climate? Make Resilience Primary, says Gina McCarthy, Microgrid Knowledge

New York offers $15m to pilot heat pump technology, Energy Live News

Unions, trades say energy-code costs could thwart construction, State House News Service via BBJ

Beyond Declining Battery Prices: 6 Ways to Evaluate Energy Storage in 2021, Greentech Media

Building domestic supply chain for battery storage could be a priority for lawmakers, Senate aides say, Utility Dive

EVs

In push for clean transportation, Mass. focuses on electric cars over public transit, Boston Globe

GM’s all-EV plan could shake the energy industry, E&E news

Tesla: Batteries better for long-haul EVs, hydrogen is ‘just crazy,’ Utility Dive

As GM gives ‘huge’ boost to EVs, states vary in advancing supportive policies, reports find, Utility Dive

Nuclear

New Mexico’s nuclear rush. A massive nuclear waste site near Carlsbad is seemingly on a fast track. Can the company behind it be trusted?, Searchlight New Mexico

Nuclear has another friend in Biden, but changes at the NRC could mean more scrutiny ahead, Utility Dive

Latest tussle over $300M nuclear subsidies rests on financial viability of the units, NJ Spotlight

Natural Gas/Pipelines/Oil/Drilling

Coal to Exit From U.S. Power System by 2033, Morgan Stanley Says, Bloomberg Green

Fore River Basin air monitors called ‘community science project,’ Patriot Ledger

INTERVIEW: New FERC member backs up-front, ‘robust’ vetting in gas project reviews, S&P Global

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

As Final Vote On Electrical Substation Nears, East Boston Residents Say State’s Approval Process Has Left Them Out, WBUR

SolarWinds fallout could last for years, as power industry secures vulnerable equipment: Dragos CEO, Utility Dive

EVs, turbines, solar panels pose circular economy dilemma: NIST workshop, Utility Dive

New FERC member argues power markets must ‘respect’ state policy choices, S&P Global

Boston kicks off community choice electricity program, aiming to surpass state’s renewables requirement, Utility Dive

As Boston gets on board, community power compacts gain steam, WWLP

Eversource Responds to Shocked Connecticut Customers After Bill Increase, Kicks 1055

NE States Considering Different Market Models, RTO Insider

Opinion

Want Environmental Justice? Look to Energy Efficiency., Politico

How Joe Biden’s Tax Plan Will Drive Up Utility Bills Nationwide, Forbes.com

Natural Gas Service Ban Would be Irresponsible for Consumers, Workers and Families Across NYC, Consumer Energy Alliance

GOP is corrupting NH public utilities panel, Valley News

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Filed under Climate Change, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as battery storage, climate change, EVs, nuclear, offshore wind, solar

January 29, 2021 · 4:47 pm

Energy News for week ending January 29, 2021

Take Two | Competing Priorities | East Boston Protest

Happy Friday folks.

Here’s what we’re reading:

Take Two: Lawmakers Again Send Climate Bill to Baker, State House News Service via WBUR

Environmental Priorities — Solar Energy and Land Conservation — Compete in the Legislature, CT Examiner

East Boston Residents Protest Controversial Electrical Substation Project, WBUR

There are also several stories this week on EVs and others on how to improve the grid to allow for more renewable development. Be sure to check them out.

As always enjoy the weekend, Stay safe and warm!

MA Climate Bill

Take Two: Lawmakers Again Send Climate Bill to Baker, State House News Service via WBUR

Let’s try this (climate change bill) again, CommonWealth Magazine

Baker admin makes its case ahead of climate bill vote, State House News Service via WWLP

Theoharides explains $6b cost figure, CommonWealth Magazine

As Lawmakers Plan Vote On Climate Bill, A Showdown With Baker Seems Likely, WBUR

Climate Change

World’s Ice Is Melting Faster Than Ever, Climate Scientists Say, Wall St. Journal

NJ meets first goal in reducing carbon emissions, but still has ‘incredible hill to climb,’ NJ Spotlight

25 states promised to stay in the Paris Agreement. Did they follow through?, Grist

‘Energy’ Is Its Name. But What Can the D.O.E. Actually Do on Climate?, New York Times

Biden Executive Orders Set Broad Federal Role in Clean Energy and Climate Change Mitigation, Greentech Media

New U.S. Strategy Would Quickly Free Billions in Climate Funds, New York Times

Renewables/RGGI/TCI

Jiminy Peak a model for renewable energy tax incentives, Rep. Neal says, Berkshire Eagle

Expensive Renewable-Energy Report Completed But There Are No Plans to Advance Its Recommendations, EcoRI

Boeing Eyes Jetliners Fueled by Waste in Race to Zero Emissions, Bloomberg Green

Wind

Janet Mills Proposes 10-Year Moratorium On Wind Development In Maine-Managed Waters, Maine Public

Vineyard Wind looks to regain spot in project pipeline, Fall River Herald News

Will Airborne Wind Power Finally Fly in 2021,? Greentech Media

Solar

Environmental Priorities — Solar Energy and Land Conservation — Compete in the Legislature, CT Examiner

The Race Is On for Commercial Deployment of Solar in Open Seas, Greentech Media

Efficiency/Storage

How to stop your house’s expensive drafts — and save the planet, Washington Post

National Grid petitions NY PSC to approve small battery project’s dispatch, wholesale market roles, Utility Dive

Tesla Had 83% Increase In Energy Storage Deployments In 2020, CleanTechnica

4 Energy Storage Questions Answered, Microgrid Knowledge

New York approves utility revenue sharing for battery storage systems, Utility Dive

EVS

Where Exactly Does Joe Biden Plan To Put 550,000 EV Charging Stations,? Jalopnik.com

Shift to Electric Vehicles Spurs Bid to Make More Batteries in U.S., Wall St. Journal

Biden plan to electrify federal fleet will boost EV market, but many questions remain, experts say, Utility Dive

New Jersey OKs PSE&G’s $166M EV infrastructure program, omits heavy duty vehicles, Utility Dive

G.M. Will Sell Only Zero-Emission Vehicles by 2035, New York Times

Exclusive: U.S. oil industry seeks unusual alliance with Farm Belt to fight Biden electric vehicle agenda, Reuters

Nuclear

NY attorney general sues over nuclear plant shutdown plan, AP

Pilgrim Nuclear Reactor Parts Sent to Texas for Disposal, WCAI

Oyster Creek: Out with the old nuclear plant, in with a new one? The choices ahead, app.com

Natural Gas/Pipelines/Oil/Drilling

National Grid seeks hike in gas bills, Salem News

In Newton, leaks in gas lines are a never-ending challenge, Boston Globe

US Northeast spot gas prices, power prices spike amid lower-than-normal temperatures, S&P Global

As Biden vows monumental action on climate change, a fight with the fossil fuel industry has only begun, Washington Post

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

New York approves $854M transmission line, outlines path to reach storage, renewables goals, Utility Dive

Transmission seen as pivotal to Biden administration’s climate, environmental justice goals, S&P Global

Transmission trouble: Pipeline woes presage challenges for clean energy buildout, S&P Global

Report Calls for a Ground-Up Overhaul of Federal Transmission Grid Policy, Greentech Media

‘No compelling reason not to’: Former FERC chairs, commissioners call for federal transmission overhaul, Utility Dive

East Boston Residents Protest Controversial Electrical Substation Project, WBUR

Con Edison Tests ConnectDER as a Utility Touchpoint for Distributed Energy, Greentech Media

Opinion

Op-ed: We are the next generation. It’s time to embrace solar., Boston Business Journal

Rhode Island Needs a Plan to Fully Decarbonize, Uprise RI

February 19 is deadline for new climate change law, CommonWealth Magazine

No rules? No problem on Beacon Hill, CommonWealth Magazine

Pass the climate change bill again, CommonWealth Magazine

America’s investor-owned utilities: We can achieve a 100% clean energy future, Utility Dive

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, Energy Efficiency, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as climate change, energy storage, Maine, Massachusetts, offshore wind, solar

January 8, 2021 · 4:23 pm

Energy News for week ending January 8, 2021

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

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Filed under Climate Change, Electricity Costs, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as Charlie Baker, energy storage, Massachusetts, Mayflower Wind, offshore wind, RENEW Northeast, solar

December 11, 2020 · 4:05 pm

Energy News for week ending December 11, 2020

New Climate Bill | Greener Cement | House of Tomorrow

Happy Friday folks.

We begin with a story from the State House News Service via the Berkshire Eagle, “Massachusetts state senator prods climate bill negotiators with new bill. Hoping to deliver ‘a wake-up call’ and highlight the urgency of the issue, state Sen. Marc Pacheco this week filed a new bill combining what he viewed as the best parts of the climate policy bills that six other lawmakers have been trying to reconcile since August. The Senate dean who chairs its Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change filed essentially his own vision for a conference committee report Wednesday and said he wanted to make sure Beacon Hill is ‘not losing sight of the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions…’ The late-session bill, which was not referred to a committee when the Senate met Thursday, would establish a requirement to get to net-zero emissions by 2050 with interim limits every five years, increase the state’s renewable portfolio standard that governs the amount of clean energy that utilities must purchase, codify environmental justice policy terms, increase the state’s offshore wind authorization to 6 gigawatts by 2035, and establish a goal that 100 percent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2035.

This next story from Utility Dive is pretty cool. “GE announces first US wind turbine blade recycling program with Veolia. GE Renewable Energy announced Tuesday a multi-year agreement with Veolia North America for the first U.S. wind turbine blade recycling program of its kind. The majority of blades from onshore turbines that GE changes out during repowering efforts will be shredded and used to replace raw materials for cement manufacturing, creating a ‘circular economy for composite materials,’ Anne McEntee, CEO of GE Renewable Energy’s Digital Services, said in a statement. In Europe, such recycling processes have grown to commercial scale, and GE plans to deploy the program at scale quickly. The process will make wind turbines fully recyclable, while reducing carbon dioxide emissions from cement production by a net 27%, according to environmental impact analysis by Quantis U.S. The reprocessed blade has a net-positive environmental impact by replacing coal or other raw materials in the cement production process, according to GE.”

This next article is also cool and is more interactive than wordy. You can scroll the “House of Tomorrow” and see all the features including refrigerators that order ahead, a green roof, solar on the outside walls, interchangeable rooms, and cones of silence! (OK they didn’t call them that, but basically that’s what they are) all available at The House Of Tomorrow, Wall St. Journal.

That’s the recap for this week. Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.

Climate Change

Massachusetts state senator prods climate bill negotiators with new bill, State House News Service via The Berkshire Eagle

As Climate Envoy, Kerry To Seek ‘Ambition’ With ‘Humility,’ WGBH

Earth just notched its warmest November, as 2020 closes in on record for hottest year, Washington Post

‘Very small silver lining’ of COVID-19? An extra 2.5 years to reduce power sector emissions: report, Utility Dive

Are utilities legally required to plan for climate change? ‘The devil is in the details.,’ Utility Dive

Most states are below their greenhouse gas reduction goals: report, The Hill

Global warming has profoundly transformed Arctic in just 15 years, report warns, Washington Post

The world’s rich need to cut their carbon footprint by a factor of 30 to slow climate change, U.N. warns, Washington Post

The Paris agreement survived the Trump administration. What happens now?, Washington Post

Renewables/RGGI/TCI

Poll: Majority of Mass. Voters Support Regional Greenhouse Gas Pact, WBUR

R.I. Works On Creating Right Mix of Renewable Energy, EcoRI

Peterborough voters to consider transition to clean energy, Sentinel Source

Vanguard Renewables announces opening of Organics Recycling Facility, Waste Today Magazine

Ellsworth hydro project and future of Graham Lake are inextricably linked, Bangor Daily News

New York Power Authority’s plan for 70% renewable energy by 2030 approved, PV-Tech

The Bumpy Road to a Hydrogen Economy, Greentech Media

The New Green Energy Giants Challenging Exxon and BP, Wall St. Journal

Does low-cost renewable energy, storage mean hydrogen is here to stay,? Utility Dive

Wind

N.J.’s first offshore wind farm gets boost, E&E News

PSEG says it will take 25% stake in Ørsted Ocean Wind project, NJ Spotlight

GE announces first US wind turbine blade recycling program with Veolia, Utility Dive

Mayflower Wind Awards Contract to Burns & McDonnell for Feed Design of Onshore Substation and Cable System, Press Release, Utility Dive

Offshore wind CEO on Biden and why Trump critics are wrong, E&E News

Maine signs wind-focused clean energy accord with United Kingdom, Press Herald

Atlantic Shores, Ørsted apply in new round of offshore wind contracts, Press Of Atlantic City

Solar

Solar vs. wind: Federal study finds a winner, E&E News

Confusion over tax status stymies solar projects, CommonWealth Magazine

AUI Partners building Rhode Island’s largest single-rooftop solar project, Solar Power World

Bath Iron Works set to buy energy from 6 Maine solar projects, Press Herald

Solar developer, investor, unite on pollinator-friendly projects, Rutland Herald

First R.I. community solar project at affordable-housing complex marks completion, Providence Business News

Solar power, which can save money even for people who don’t have it, is the future, Concord Monitor

Decision on Southington solar panel project delayed, My Record Journal

Efficiency/Storage

The House Of Tomorrow, Wall St. Journal

Green buildings ‘unheralded hero’ in emissions fight, experts say, Utility Dive

A Danbury battery startup business faces its first big test, CT Post

EVs

The T’s next set of battery-powered buses wouldn’t reduce much pollution, Boston Globe

Is This The Electric Vehicle Filling Station of the Future?, Greentech Media

The electric bike that could change delivery as we know it, E&E News

Feds eye nuclear-powered EVs: Breakthrough or bad idea?, E&E News

About 150 U.S. Cadillac Dealers to Exit Brand, Rather Than Sell Electric Cars, Wall St. Journal

This breakthrough electric vehicle never needs to be plugged in, Fast Company

QuantumScape is building a better electric car battery that it says charges to 80% in 15 minutes, CNBC

Vermont’s Green Mountain Power deploys vehicle-to-grid charger, publicpower.org

Con Edison testing V2G service from 5 electric school buses, Green Car Congress

Nuclear

MIT Study Lays Bare Why Nuclear Costs Keep Rising, Greentech Media

This Is the Company That Will Decommission Indian Point in Buchanan, Westchester Magazine

Does nuclear power deserve to be in the Green New Deal?, Medium.com

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

Why Gas Stoves Are More Hazardous Than We’ve Been Led to Believe, Slate

Battle reignites over first East Coast gas bans, E&E News

NOAA greenlights seismic harassment of dolphins and whales, E&E News

N.Y. pledges to purge fossil fuel risks from pension fund, E&E News

Entire Aquidneck Island delegation opposes planned expansion of fracked gas, Uprise RI

Inside Clean Energy: The Era of Fossil Fuel Power Plants Is Rapidly Receding. Here Is Their Life Expectancy, Inside Climate News

Dartmouth College drops plans for wood chip heating, pivots toward cleaner oil, Valley News

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

Grid operator projects sufficient energy for winter demand, Eagle Times (NH)

Residents call for Burrillville’s Ocean State Power Plant to be phased out using “just transition” framework, Uprise RI

Residents: How will Keene’s power plan affect my electric bill?, Sentinel Source

Transmission, local resources, market improvements key to decarbonization: CAISO and NYISO chiefs, Utility Dive

Long-running dispute over regional energy market settled, Bangor Daily News

Dynamic Line Rating: Expanding Transmission Grid Capacity for Clean Energy, Greentech Media

16 Mass. Elected Officials Challenge State Agency On East Boston Substation, WBUR

How an Energy Startup’s Plan to Disrupt the Power Grid Got Disrupted, Wall St. Journal

Need for heating assistance growing in Mass. during pandemic, South Coast Today

As residents grapple with COVID and harsh winter, Sen. Ed Markey, advocates call for $10B boost to low-income home energy assistance, MassLive

Nova Scotia Power Picks Sunverge for Virtual Power Plant, Microgrid Knowledge

With closing date set for MIRA trash plant, Connecticut looks for a long-term solution, Hartford Courant

Opinion

Solar revolution is stalled, needs to shift into gear, CommonWealth Magazine

Why energy-efficiency programs are good for New Hampshire businesses, consumers, NHBR

Out with the old, in with the new: Why regionalized grid coordination is inevitable, Utility Dive

Utility regulators wake up to the long-term risks of gas, Opinion

Op-Ed: Repower NJ’s ‘sacrifice zones,’ NJ Spotlight

Opinion/Getting ready: Maine won’t wait to take action on climate, Seacoastonline.com

DEEP should make solving the puzzle of siting large scale solar a priority, CT Mirror

My Turn: State’s triennial energy efficiency plan is under attack, Concord Monitor

Don’t squander State Pier opportunity, The Day

Op-Ed: How fishing and offshore wind can — and should — coexist, NJ Spotlight

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, Energy Efficiency, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News, offshore wind, solar

Tagged as climate change, Electric Grid, EVs, Massachusetts, offshore wind, solar, TCI

October 9, 2020 · 2:21 pm

Energy News for week ending October 9, 2020

Ludicrous…Propaganda | Hard 2021 | Radiative Cooling

Happy Friday folks.

We have quite a few stories below about CT’s new legislation aimed at requiring utilities to pay up if power isn’t restored after 96 hours among other penalties and incentives. This article won the headline war though, Electric rate hikes as a result of new law? ‘Ludicrous…propaganda.’ (Middletown Press)

With election day fast approaching, things are heating up in Maine over the Clean Energy Connect power line. Despite this story from the Press Herald New England Clean Energy Connect may start construction in November, despite opposition, there is this report from the Bangor Daily News CMP could have hard 2021 in Augusta as legislative hopefuls turn against corridor.

For a new technology story this week, we alert you to Bringing the chill of the cosmos to a warming planet “Scientists are tapping into a law of physics to create cooling systems that work without special fuel or electricity.” (Washington Post)

That’s the recap for this week. Enjoy the long weekend, and as always, stay safe.

Efficiency/Storage

GMP energy storage program saves customers millions, WCAX

Once shut out, Maine cannabis industry now eligible for sustainable energy grants, Press Herald

Will the Distributed Energy Revolution Leave Renters Behind?, Greentech Media

Climate Change/Renewables/RGGI

RI Updates 2030 Load and Renewables Forecast, RTO Insider

DOE study: Solar-hydro projects could power 40% of world, E&E News

National Grid sees hydrogen as a lynchpin, joins utilities targeting net zero carbon by 2050, Utility Dive

Boston near top in new clean energy scorecard, WHDH

Coalition: Avoided Deaths, Asthma Cases Underscore Need for TCI, State House News Service

Transportation and Climate Initiative gets corporate push, Worcester Business Journal

Can the US Catch Up in the Green Hydrogen Economy,? Greentech Media

MBTA embracing renewable energy, CommonWealth Magazine

Bringing the chill of the cosmos to a warming planet, Washington Post

Job losses in renewables sector total 75,669; clean energy losses at 477,862: report, S&P Global

Wind, solar smash records. But analysts worry it won’t last, E&E News (subscriber content)

Long-delayed Trump administration study finds that climate change threatens polar bears, Washington Post

Is Wave Energy Ready to Climb Out of the ‘Valley of Death’?, Greentech Media

Second wave: Ocean Power Technologies’ power-grid plan sank, but it grabbed life preserver by switching focus to niche offshore systems, ROI-NJ

Jaffrey’s MilliporeSigma unveils new $14.4M wastewater treatment plant, Keene Sentinel

Wind

UMaine continues to develop floating concrete wind turbine, WBAI TV

European developers build out dominance in US offshore wind race, S&P Global

Ørsted to Host Three Virtual Open Houses: Offer Updates on the Progress of the Ocean Wind Offshore Wind Project, tapinto.net

Solar

Plymouth Planning Board considers solar fields on bogs, Wicked Local Plymouth

Company eyes solar farm at New England Dragway, seacoastonline.com

Marsh Sanctuary alleges special treatment for proposed Mount Kisco solar farm, Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals

Oregon solar company eyes two projects in Rutland Town, Rutland Herald

EVs

Vermont offering up to $5,000 towards purchase of energy efficient used car, St. Albans Messenger

New kind of ride in Beverly, Beverly officials charged up about first electric school bus, Salem News

Electric Trash Trucks Are Coming Quietly to Your Town, Wall St. Journal

Natural Gas/Oil/Pipeline/Drilling

Lynch: FBI To Investigate Possibility of Cyberattack At Weymouth Compressor, WBUR

Weymouth officials, residents want to see gas company’s emergency plan, Patriot Ledger

State approves $56 million settlement with Columbia Gas for Merrimack Valley gas explosions, Boston Globe

Nuclear

Bill Gates-backed nuclear fusion pioneer: ‘We can fill the gaps left by wind and solar,’ Recharge

Market/Grid/Policy/Prices

Grid operator calls for ‘net carbon pricing,’ CommonWealth Magazine

R.I.’s Climate Crisis Means Higher Energy Bills and Less Work, EcoRI

After a summer of widespread outages and rising rates, anger at utility companies explodes on the campaign trail, Hartford Courant

Massachusetts City Plans “Microgrid without Borders,” Microgrid Knowledge

CT Utility Reform Bill Passes: Here’s What It Means For Customers, Patch.com

A new bill requires Connecticut utility companies to pay up when the power is out for an extended period. Here are 7 ways it affects customers., Hartford Courant

Electric rate hikes as a result of new law? ‘Ludicrous…propaganda,’ Middletown Press

New England Clean Energy Connect may start construction in November, despite opposition, Press Herald

CMP could have hard 2021 in Augusta as legislative hopefuls turn against corridor, Bangor Daily News

Five First Nations file brief with DOE opposing New England Clean Energy Connect, Energy Central

Mayor: Plan will lower residents’ electric bills, Eagle Tribune

Inside the Utility Company Lobbying Blitz That Will Hike Electric Bills, ProPublica

How to Prepare for Increased Energy Disruptions Due to Extreme Weather, NY1

Power-buying policy still an open question in NJ, NJ Spotlight

Opinion

Opinion: A clean energy future for Connecticut, CT Post

NY needs clean renewable energy like Québec hydropower, Altamont Enterprise

Maine Voices: Canada’s ‘Atlantic Loop’ power grid could bring big value to Maine, CentralMaine.com

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Filed under Climate Change, Electric Grid, Electricity Costs, Energy Efficiency, New England Energy News, Northeast Energy News

Tagged as Central Maine Power, Connecticut, Green Hydrogen, New England Clean Energy Connect, offshore wind, solar, Wave energy

September 11, 2020 · 3:19 pm

Energy News for week ending September 11, 2020

High Energy Burden | Big Oil Goes Green | Where are the yeses?

Happy Friday folks.

Busy day and week. So I need to keep this short.

I direct your attention to these two articles:

67% of low-income households face high energy burden: ACEEE, Utility Dive

Oil Major BP Gives a Taste of How It Will Go Green, WSJ

One more interesting article to share, which was a result of yesterday’s MIT CEEPR event that featured former Energy Secretary Moniz.

From Axios:

Amy: What is the state or region that you think will have the most difficult time transitioning to a clean-energy economy? Why?

Moniz:

New England. Moniz then went on to say that that region has in recent years opposed new and existing energy infrastructure, like natural-gas pipelines, hydropower and nuclear power plants that could help reduce emissions.

“There are a lot of nos. Where are the yeses? … If we are going to go to low carbon, where is it all going to come from? It’s not all going to come from offshore wind. That’s why we need pragmatic, realistic solutions.”

That’s the recap for this week. Have a great weekend and as always, stay safe.

Energy Efficiency/Storage

67% of low-income households face high energy burden: ACEEE, Utility Dive

NYISO allows full participation for energy storage in wholesale power markets, Utility Dive

FERC Order May Undermine Renewables, Energy Storage in New York’s Capacity Markets, Greentech Media

How to Keep Firefighters Safe From Batteries, Greentech Media

Climate Change/Renewables/RGGI

Utilities Look to Green Hydrogen to Cut Carbon Emissions, Wall St. Journal

AWEA Introduces New Trade Group, the American Clean Power Association, Greentech Media

FERC details carbon pricing conference as groups blast renewables, consumer and women exclusions, Utility Dive

Amid a Pandemic, Green Electricity Charts a Course Forward, S&P Global Market Intelligence

United in Science report: Climate change has not stopped for COVID19, UN Environment Programme