New York PSC Approves New Clean Energy Standard

Table displaying california's electrical energy generation by source for 2015, showing amounts and percentages with a total generation of 295,405 gwh.

On Monday, August 1, the New York Public Service Commission (PSC) unanimously agreed to a bill that requires the state to obtain 50 percent of its power by renewable energy sources by 2030. After Governor Andrew Cuomo called on the PSC late in 2015 to commit to the ambitious 50 percent goal, thousands of New….

Alert: Peak Energy Days Possible This Week

Table showing electric rates for 2024-2025.

With hot temperatures expected in ISO-NE, NYISO, and PJM in second half of this week, particularly on Thursday, we may see peak energy days. If you can, we recommend that you limit your electricity usage as much as possible during this timeframe, especially during peak usage hours (2:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.). This reduction can….

House Overwhelmingly Approves Hydro, Wind Bill

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In a near unanimous vote last Wednesday, the House backed a bill that would require utilities to enter into long-term contracts (15-20 years) for large-scale (1,200 megawatts) hydroelectric and offshore wind power in an effort to reduce the state’s reliance on natural gas and reduce carbon emissions. According to Rep. Thomas Golden of Lowell, the….

Kinder Morgan Suspends NED Pipeline Project

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On Wednesday, Kinder Morgan, a subsidiary of Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., suspended any further work and spending on its Northeast Energy Direct (NED) natural gas pipeline project due to insufficient commitments from prospective customers. The company has neither the necessary resources nor an expectation of procuring them in order to continue to work on the….

Massachusetts Legislators Strike a Solar Cap Agreement

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On Tuesday, leaders of the Massachusetts House and Senate reached a deal to increase the level of solar energy that public and private customers can sell back to the grid by 3 percent. Additionally, the agreement stipulates a reduction in the value of new solar project incentives. The negotiations would also give utilities the ability….

Crude Inventories at 80 Year High

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U.S. crude inventories rose by 2.1 million barrels last week to 504.1 million barrels, a new weekly record high, the Energy Information Administration said. In monthly data, which don’t line up exactly with weekly data, inventories last exceeded 500 million barrels in 1930.   Brought to you by your MassMEC Market Research Team.

Supreme Court Retains Demand Response Mandate

Table showing electric rates for 2024-2025.

On Monday, January 25, the Supreme Court reaffirmed a mandate created in 2011 by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that requires utilities to pay energy consumers for reducing their electricity usage during peak demand. Electricity generators and utilities challenged the rule, asserting that FERC was overstepping its boundaries, but Justice Elena Kagan confirmed the….

Entergy to close Plymouth Pilgrim Nuclear Plant

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Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station will be closed no later than June 2019, said operators on Tuesday, October 13th. Pilgrim is the last nuclear power plant in Massachusetts and the announcement comes one month after the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission labeled the plant as one of the nation’s three least-safe reactors citing a timeline of mishaps….