On climate change, more than RGGI is needed

Cheap natural gas played biggest role in reducing emissions so far

By Jonah Kurman-Faber Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 21, 2018

YOU MAY HAVE CAUGHT wind of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s disturbing new report on climate change. The message is clear––keep man-made global warming impacts to 1.5 degrees Celsius or suffer dire consequences. We are currently at about 1-degree Celsius, and if we are to remain below 1.5 degrees of warming, fossil fuel use(...)

Utility to run line under Kennebec Gorge

MA project will bring hydro-electricity into New England

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 18, 2018

THE UTILITY UNDER CONTRACT with Massachusetts to import Quebec hydro-electricity into New England said on Thursday that it now plans to run the transmission lines under rather than over the Kennebec Gorge in Maine. The transmission line has stirred opposition in Maine for a variety of reasons, but the prospect of high-voltage transmission wires running(...)

Sizing up Baker, Gonzalez on T, energy, environment

Forum highlighted sharp differences in approach, philosophy

By Bruce Mohl Energy, MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Oct 12, 2018

GOV. CHARLIE BAKER and his Democratic challenger Jay Gonzalez have a lot in common. Baker grew up in Needham and Gonzalez lives there now. Both ran health insurance companies and also took turns heading up the state’s Executive Office for Administration and Finance – Gonzalez under former governor Deval Patrick and Baker under former governor(...)

We need more, not less, competition for offshore wind

With ranks of competitors shrinking, government must intervene

By Edward N. Krapels Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 12, 2018

THE OFFSHORE WIND ERA in the United States is here. With no need to burn fossil fuel, to enrich uranium, to dam rivers, or to build thousands of acres of solar panels, offshore wind is the most benign form of bulk power available to mankind. Plans to seize the potential of offshore wind already have(...)

Ørsted to buy Deepwater Wind for $510m

Danish firm eliminates competitor; retains Grybowski as co-CEO in US

By Bruce Mohl Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Oct 8, 2018

TWO OF THE BIGGER PLAYERS in the emerging US offshore wind industry are combining forces, as the Denmark-based Ørsted announced an agreement on Monday to purchase Deepwater Wind of Rhode Island for $510 million. The deal eliminates one of Ørsted’s leading competitors along the East Coast and creates a company with offshore wind contracts or(...)

Gas explosions show how dangerous the fuel is

It’s time to break our addiction to fossil fuels

By Bradley M. Campbell Energy 0 Comments Oct 6, 2018

THE CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION in late September held a meeting in Lawrence to highlight the work of our community partners there. Just as these groups began their presentations, natural gas-fueled explosions and fires began to erupt in South Lawrence and the neighboring towns of Andover and North Andover. Amidst the ensuing chaos, one person was(...)

Hydro-Québec’s greenwashing game

No guarantees Massachusetts deal will lower emissions

By James M. Speyer Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Sep 28, 2018

IN A RECENT COMMENTARY PIECE, “Sierra Club fires back on Québec hydro,” the Sierra Club explained why electricity imported from Québec is not clean. The focus was on the adverse environmental impacts directly related to flooding large areas of land for hydroelectricity. But that’s only part of the story. As a result of Hydro-Québec’s ability(...)

Consumers overlooked amid ISO power politics

Who should bear the brunt of Exelon subsidies?

By Cynthia A. Arcate Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Sep 23, 2018

THE FUEL SECURITY CONTROVERSY in New England, particularly as it relates to the availability of natural gas in the winter, escalated dramatically with the issuance of a fuel security study by the operation of the region’s power grid, ISO New England. That was followed quickly by Exelon’s announcement that it intends to shut down its(...)

Sierra Club fires back on Quebec hydro

Stored energy is neither green nor clean

By Tony Donovan and Becky Bartovics Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Sep 15, 2018

THE ASSERTIONS IN THE RECENT ARTICLE “Hydro-Québec, Central Maine Power respond to critics” by John Carroll and Lynne St-Laurent are not correct. Of course, one must consider the source of the statements. New England Clean Energy Connect project proponents put a nice spin on their joint project, but they respond as public relations employees rather than(...)

Hydro-Québec, Central Maine Power respond to critics

Accuse Sierra Club, Maine group of siding with fossil fuel industry

By John Carroll and Lynn St-Laurent Electricity, Energy 0 Comments Sep 8, 2018

MASSACHUSETTS’ LEADERSHIP on energy policy has created a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move the needle on clean energy. According to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, the proposal from Hydro-Québec and Central Maine Power to deliver clean energy over the New England Clean Energy Connect will result in nearly half (47 percent) of the electricity consumed by Massachusetts(...)