Northeast Energy News

Massachusetts initiates second 800 MW offshore wind buy

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OFFSHORE WIND: Massachusetts officials and the state’s electric utilities move to procure up to 800 MW of additional offshore wind power. (State House News Service)

ALSO:
• A German offshore wind developer tells a New Hampshire energy conference it will explore the possibility of setting up shop at a coastal tradeport. (NHPR)
• Companies vying for offshore wind contracts in New York make economic development pitches to Long Island officials to sweeten their bids. (Newsday)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Tri-State Community Energy Summit, April 2-4 in New York to explore the latest developments in clean energy. Network with area leaders, policymakers, and regulators—showcased in a strong community of summit panelists, speakers and attendees!***

SOLAR: Vermont developers say even though net-metering reimbursement rates are declining, the industry still has a bright future in the state.

Northeast Energy News

New York rejects utilities’ demand response proposals

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GRID:
• New York regulators reject two utilities’ plans to modify demand response programs, saying they would be too severe and discourage participation. (Utility Dive)
• New England’s grid operator files a request with federal regulators to incentivize power generators that store fuel on-site, saying the move would improve the region’s winter energy security. (State House News Service)

TRANSMISSION:
• New Hampshire’s highest court will hear oral arguments on May 15 over the proposed 192-mile Northern Pass transmission project, which was rejected by state siting officials last February. (New Hampshire Union Leader)
• A proposed power line in Maine has divided residents in its path, with some seeing economic opportunities and others fearing a spoiled landscape. (Maine Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Tri-State Community Energy Summit, April 2-4 in New York to explore the latest developments in clean energy.

Northeast Energy News

Study: U.S. offshore wind projects worth $70 billion

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OFFSHORE WIND:
• A new study says 18.6 gigawatts of offshore wind planned along the country’s coasts by 2030 would represent a capital expenditure of $70 billion. (reNews)
• Federal officials sign a 10-year memorandum of understanding with a coalition of fishing industry stakeholders that aims to sustain fishing opportunities while allowing offshore wind projects off the East Coast. (Associated Press)

SOLAR: Officials in Atlantic City, New Jersey, will consider a proposal to build a community solar project on 146 acres of city-owned land. (Press of Atlantic City)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Tri-State Community Energy Summit, April 2-4 in New York to explore the latest developments in clean energy. Network with area leaders, policymakers, and regulators—showcased in a strong community of summit panelists, speakers and attendees!***

STORAGE:
• New York City utility Consolidated Edison will rollout an energy storage pilot that uses underutilized real estate to site four 1 MW/1 MWh batteries.

Northeast Energy News

Massachusetts bill would allow fossil fuel divestment

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DIVESTMENT: Massachusetts legislators consider a bill that would make it easier for local retirement systems to divest from fossil fuels. (Energy News Network)

PIPELINES:
• Developers begin clearing land for an $86 million natural gas pipeline expansion between northwest Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio. (Star Beacon)
• A subcontractor working on the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline sends letters to landowners threatening to place liens on their properties if it is not paid for work by the main contractor. (Lancaster Online)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Tri-State Community Energy Summit, April 2-4 in New York to explore the latest developments in clean energy. Network with area leaders, policymakers, and regulators—showcased in a strong community of summit panelists, speakers and attendees!***

UTILITIES:
• A western Canadian firm agrees to buy Bangor-based Emera Maine for $959 million.

Northeast Energy News

Maine Democrats try to revive vetoed microgrid bill

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MICROGRIDS: Newly empowered Democrats in Maine are trying to revive a microgrid bill that was vetoed last year. (Energy News Network)

TRANSMISSION: If a transmission line to import Canadian hydropower is built in Maine, the owners of existing power plants believe they will be crowded out of the state’s energy market. (Maine Public Radio)

***SPONSORED LINK: Attend Infocast’s Tri-State Community Energy Summit, April 2-4 in New York to explore the latest developments in clean energy. Network with area leaders, policymakers, and regulators—showcased in a strong community of summit panelists, speakers and attendees!***

SOLAR:
• A solar siting bill in Rhode Island has been endorsed by environmental and energy nonprofits, but it’s unlikely to stop NIMBY battles in the state. (PV Magazine)
• A planned 5.5 MW community solar farm could save residents of a village north of Albany 10 percent on their electricity bills.