NSTAR Files New Electric Rates for Eastern MA

This week, Eversource Energy (formerly known as NSTAR) filed proposed basic service electric rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for large commercial and industrial customers in eastern Massachusetts (both northeastern and southeastern). The rates are effective starting April 1, 2018 and are for April – June. The proposed electric rates (subject to….

ISO-NE Releases Results for Forward Capacity Auction for 2021-2022

Auction secures sufficient resources to meet demand at the lowest clearing price in five years ISO-NE’s headquarters in Holyoke, MA On Thursday, February 8, ISO New England Inc., the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) serving New England, released the preliminary results for its 12th annual capacity auction (FCA #12). The auction is designed to procure resources….

N.H. Denies M.A. Northern Pass—But Just a Temporary Setback?

On Thursday, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) denied an essential state permit to Northern Pass Transmission, a $1.6 billion Eversource project that would deliver Canadian hydropower to Massachusetts via a 192-mile transmission line. Massachusetts gave preliminary approval to the project as recently as last week. The committee argued the project failed to show….

Massachusetts Approves Northern Pass

Last Thursday, Massachusetts gave preliminary approval to Eversource’s $1.6 billion Northern Pass proposal. Northern Pass would be the largest procurement of renewable energy in the history of Massachusetts. It was selected among bids submitted under the Global Warming Solutions Act, a law passed that was passed two years ago calling for a boost to the….

Trump Tariffs on Solar to Deal Blow to Renewable Energy

This past Monday, President Trump decided to impose tariffs on imported solar panels in what could be his biggest blow to renewable energy thus far. Since his inauguration, the Trump administration has undermined the renewable energy industry in several ways. It has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, backed out of Obama-era regulations….

Eversource to Reduce Electric Rates on Heel of Tax Cuts

In November, Eversource Energy filed basic service electric rates for its Massachusetts customers for the period starting January 1, 2018 that marked a 20% increase from previous rates. At the time, Eversource customers expected to see a $37 million increase—$12.2 million for customers in eastern Massachusetts (previously under NSTAR service), and $24.8 million for customers….

National Grid Files Industrial Rates

National Grid has filed with the Massachusetts DPU new electricity default service rates for industrial customers for the February through April 2018 period. National Grid’s filed rates, which include the currently effective Basic Service Administrative Cost Adjustment Factors (BSACFs) and Smart Grid Customer Cost Adjustment Factor (SGCCF), are below in $ per kWh.   National….

Eversource Rates to Increase by Over 20%

Eversource Energy (formerly known as NSTAR) filed basic service electric rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for the period starting January 1, 2018 that are over 20% higher than current rates. Separate from its default service procurement, Eversource has pending customary updates to other by-passable riders which are included in the total….

Rick Perry Asks FERC to Adopt Rules for Coal and Nuclear Plants

Last week, U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry issued a letter asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to consider adopting rules that would provide non-market compensation to generating units like coal and nuclear power plants. Per federal statute, the FERC is obligated to at least consider Perry’s proposal, but is not required to accept it…..

NGRID Electric Default Rates to Increase by 34%

National Grid (NGRID) recently filed electric default rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) that are set to increase a massive 34 percent starting November 1. Both residential and commercial customers will be affected by the filing. For example, residential customers can expect NGRID’s fixed basic service rate to increase from $0.09432 per….