California and New England behind on 2050 emission reduction goals

Even though California and New England are two parts of the United States most committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, they are behind on their 2050 goals, according to several recent reports. For example, California aims to reduce emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. A report from Next 10 released on October….

ISO-NE: New England Energy Constrained

According to ISO-New England’s 10-year assessment of the region, New England’s electric grid is energy constrained. In its draft 2019 Regional Assessment Plan, ISO, which operates New England’s power grid, detailed the constraints facing the region: while the region is becoming cleaner and more efficient—and it has seen coal, nuclear, and oil generation retire—it still….

Quebec-to-MA Hydropower Project Gains Steam

Last February, the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) denied an essential state permit for Northern Pass Transmission, an Eversource project that would bring hydropower from Canada to Massachusetts. At the time, the denial appeared to call the project into question. But the conversation has shifted from New Hampshire to western Maine and the $950….

ISO-NE Forward Capacity Auction shows surplus capacity for 2022 – 2023

The recent ISO – New England forward capacity auction conducted on February 4th corresponding for the period of 2022 – 2023 resulted in a clearing price of $3.80/kW/month, an 18% price reduction from last year’s auction of $4.63/kW/month for 2021 – 2022. This comes as very positive news, quelling the unsettling predictions on shortage of….

MA Bill to End Competitive Residential Electric Supply

On Tuesday, January 22, a bill was filed in Massachusetts to end competitive residential electric supply starting in 2020. Currently, residential (in addition to commercial and industrial) customers can get their electric supply competitively, from third-party competitive suppliers, rather than the utility. But bill HD 1204/SD 880, An Act Relative to Protecting Residential Electric Customers,….

National Grid Files New Basic Electric Rates

This week, National Grid filed proposed basic service electric rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for Large Commercial and Industrial customers in Massachusetts. These proposed rates (subject to DPU approval) would be effective starting February 2019 and are shown below in $ per kWh: SEMA: February 2019 – 19.249 March 2019- 16.031        ….

Eversource Winter Rates Announced

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, 2019. The rates are effective starting January 1, 2019 and are for the period of January 1 – June 30, 2019. The proposed electric rates (subject to DPU approval) are….

National Grid Files New Basic Electric Rates

This week, National Grid filed proposed basic service electric rates with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for commercial and industrial customers in Massachusetts. The rates are effective starting November 2018. Proposed rates (subject to DPU approval) are below, in $ per kWh. It is worth noting the SEMA Industrial rate for January 2019….

70 Natural Gas Fires in Lawrence, MA and Surrounding Area

One person is dead and several others are injured after natural gas fires and explosions shook Lawrence and the surrounding area Thursday afternoon. A gas line pressure problem in the area has affected Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover. Firefighters and other emergency crews have responded to at least 70 addresses for fires, explosions, or the….

Eversource (NSTAR) Files New Electricity Supply Rates for Large Commercial and Industrial – Northeastern Massachusetts (NEMA) and Southeastern Massachusetts (SEMA)

Last 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 October 1, 2018 and are for the three-month period of October 1 – December 31…..