Northeast Energy News

Reports: Utility competition increased costs for Maryland ratepayers

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! UTILITIES: Data compiled by consumer advocates shows utility competition meant to lower rates for Maryland residents has actually increased bills by as much as 50 to 75 percent.  (The Baltimore Sun)

NATURAL GAS:
• New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo vetoes a bill that would force utility companies to disclose the location of underground gas leaks to the public, citing flaws in the legislation.  (NBC 4 New York)
• A lockout of National Grid union workers and moratoriums on new gas connections are costing Massachusetts communities thousands in lost revenue and taxes.

Northeast Energy News

Maine wind project waits in the wings

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! TRANSMISSION: If authorities in western Maine reject a proposal to build a hydropower transmission line from Canada to Massachusetts, a wind power proposal that includes underground and underwater transmission could become a viable alternative.  (The County)

ALSO:
• Officials for the Canadian utility backing the transmission project say the company has enough hydropower capacity to guarantee the electricity sent to New England is clean and renewable. (Portland Press Herald)
• Developers say they will begin construction on a long-delayed hydropower transmission project from Quebec to New York City in 2020.

Northeast Energy News

Connecticut nuclear plant cleared for “zero emission” auctions

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! NUCLEAR: Connecticut regulators will allow the state’s only nuclear power plant to compete against wind and solar in “zero emission” state energy auctions. (Hartford Courant)

SOLAR:
• A town outside Rochester, New York, passes a resolution asking developers to provide more documentation on a proposed 7 MW solar project that would cover approximately 31 acres of farmland. (Daily Messenger)
• Workers are installing solar projects on nearly a dozen buildings in Manhattan through a local solar initiative aimed at expanding solar energy to low-income people and communities of color.

Northeast Energy News

Stronger storms challenge Northeast grid reliability

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DOUBLE YOUR MONEY: Through December 31, your contribution to the Energy News Network will be doubled courtesy of NewsMatch. Give today! UTILITIES: A federal report finds there were more long power outages in 2017 because of severe storms; and Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont were among the five hardest-hit states. (Utility Dive)

ALSO:
• Connecticut utilities say they shouldn’t be required to identify opportunities for non-wires alternatives to traditional utility infrastructure because the technologies are too expensive, but the state’s consumer watchdog disagrees. (Microgrid Knowledge)
• House lawmakers in Massachusetts are expected to pass a bill that would extend unemployment benefits to National Grid’s gas workers, who lost their salaries and health benefits after the utility locked them out following failed contract negotiations in June.

Northeast Energy News

Report: Transportation and energy reforms would add 33,000 jobs in Connecticut

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RENEWABLES:
• A New England environmental group tells Connecticut’s incoming governor that improving transportation infrastructure and boosting clean energy would add 33,000 new jobs and $11 billion in economic benefits. (New Haven Register)
• Washington, D.C.’s green bank will fund projects that expand renewable energy, cut greenhouse gas emissions and increase efficiency. (Smart Cities Dive)
• A coalition of businesses, nonprofits and other advocates seek to revive renewable energy policies in Maine. (Energy News Network)

SOLAR:
• A farm in Vermont is successfully growing saffron beneath a ground-mounted solar installation as part of study launched by an electric company and the University of Vermont. (Addison County Independent)
• Developers double the size of a 3 MW solar project on a former landfill outside Providence, Rhode Island.