Hurricane Jose to Strike New England?

Nuclear power plant by a river.

As Hurricane Jose makes its way up the east coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued a tropical storm warning for parts of New England: from Watch Hill, Rhode Island, to Hull, Massachusetts, including Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. A tropical storm watch has also been issued along the coast of Long Island….

Devastating Harvey Shuts Down Refineries, Power

Map showing the forecast path of tropical storm harvey with key times and locations, current conditions, and potential watch areas as of august 28, 2017.

Over the past few days, Hurricane Harvey has devastated thousands of people in southeastern Texas and the surrounding area. The category 4 hurricane has topped 130 miles per hour and dumped 50 inches of rain around Houston. In addition to this unprecedented devastation, the hurricane has also wreaked havoc on the region’s refining industry. According….

Regulations Could Count Biomass as a Form of Renewable Energy in MA

Table from western massachusetts electric company displaying fixed and variable price options for electricity service categories from july 1 to december 31, 2016.

The Baker administration plans to propose rules that would count woody biomass – a fuel that comes from felling trees and clearing brush in forests – as a form of renewable energy. Under the proposal, users of woody biomass could be rewarded with subsidiaries. The administration claims that biomass is part of the effort to….

Massachusetts to Get New Offshore Wind Farm?

President speaking at a podium with a group of workers in hard hats at a construction site for wind turbines, with large crane and parts in the background.

Last week, Deepwater Wind, an offshore wind and transmission developer based in Providence, Rhode Island, announced plans to bring a new offshore wind farm to Massachusetts. Deepwater developed the country’s first offshore wind project near Block Island, Rhode Island. That project began operations in December 2016 after being initiated nine years ago. (The developer has….

Solar Eclipse to Threaten Solar Power?

Nighttime view of a city skyline with illuminated buildings against a dark background, seen from a distance across a body of water.

Next month’s solar eclipse could threaten solar farms and rooftop panels across the United States, in the process wiping out enough power to supply seven million homes. A total solar eclipse has not occurred in the U.S. since 1979. On August 21, however, the moon will totally obscure the sun and cast a 70-mile-wide shadow….

Eversource Files New Default Rates in NH

Exterior view of the federal energy regulatory commission building, showcasing its sign on the facade.

Recently, Public Service Company of New Hampshire (Eversource) filed new default energy service rates with the New Hampshire PUC effective January 1, 2018. Currently, all Eversource customer classes are eligible to receive the same fixed default service rate (except for cases of competitive supply). With this new filing, however, Eversource will have two default service….

MA DPU Proposes to Modify Net Metering Rules

Map of massachusetts highlighting regions by utility type: electric in blue, gas in green, and combined electric and gas in dark green.

On May 16, 2017, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued an order (docket D.P.U. 17-10) instituting a rulemaking process to modify current net metering regulations (220 C.M.R. § 18.00) as they relate to hydropower. The new provisions would, for example: add the definition of “small hydroelectric net metering facility” to the current net….

DOER Files Emergency Solar Regulation

Line graph showing annual u.s. carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 to 2022 by fossil fuel source: total emissions, petroleum and liquid fuels, natural gas, and coal.

On Monday, June 5, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) filed 225 CMR 20.00, an emergency regulation with the Secretary of the Commonwealth to implement the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART) Program. The SMART Program is designed to establish a statewide solar incentive program to encourage the continued use and development of generating units….

Ohio Bill Could Introduce Full Electric Deregulation

Large industrial power plant with multiple chimneys by a river under a clear blue sky.

Last week, Rep. Mark Romanchuk (R) introduced legislation (House Bill 247) that would give Ohio full electric deregulation. The legislation would force utilities to base customer rates on wholesale power market prices, and, in the process, replace Ohio’s current electric power regime. Since 2008, Ohio has been run by the Energy Security Plan (ESP), which….

New Offshore Wind Energy Incentives Announced

Table showing proposed basic service charges for industrial customers of massachusetts electric company with sections for rate, load, zone, and monthly prices from august to october.

On May 11, Sens. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Rep Jim Langevin (D-R.I.-2) announced the “Offshore Wind Incentives for New Development Act” or the “Offshore WIND Act.” If passed, the Offshore WIND Act would extend the 30 percent investment tax credit (ITC) under Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code for offshore….